Four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi linked up with Gabonese president Ali Bongo Ondimba on Saturday to lay the first stone at a future African Cup of Nations venue.

The Barcelona star, who won a treble of Spanish title, Copa del Rey and Champions League last season, officially started the building process at the Port-Gentil Stadium, which will host Africa Cup of Nations matches in 2017. The ceremony took place on a wide sandy ground where the stadium will be built.

It was the Argentine forward's first visit to Gabon and he signed autographs on team jerseys worn by his fans, before proceeding with the laying of the first stone, accompanied by the president.

"When I was in Barcelona a few years ago, I met
Messi who had told me that he would come to visit
me in Libreville," said the Gabon president.

"It's a promise he made me. He is a man of honour
who just kept his word."

The new stadium will have a capacity of 20 000 and is expected to host matches from November 2016 in the build-up to the tournament.
Port Gentil is Gabon's second city and the country's
oil capital.

rep barca

waow one more reason to like messi more over ronaldo




p.s: not trying to spark the cr7 vs messi sentiments coz thats my opinion FYI i like them both because i love gud football

woaw...That's good.
When e go come nigeria...

Messi, world's greatest player of our time

Hey great

that man at the back I wonder what hes wearing..

manneger2:
that man at the back I wonder what hes wearing..

He is a chef....lol