Paralympics 2016: Blind Brazilian footballers follow in Lionel Messi’s footsteps

ANYTHING Lionel Messi can do, we can do better…

That’s the message from the blind boys of Brazil who set their own country alight with a 3-1 preliminary blind football group victory over Morocco.

Ricardinho slammed in a 31st minute penalty – just like Messi did when and Barcelona mates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Masip, Ivan Rakitic and Sergi Roberto donned blindfolds when they took on Spain’s five-a-side blind soccer stars in the build-up to the Paralympics in Rio.

Blind footballers use a ball which makes a noise, via a device, when struck. Messi got to grips with wearing a blindfold, putting his penalty away for Barca, despite a decent effort from the goalkeeper.
The Samba Boys followed up Ricardinho's spot kick with two goals in sixty seconds from Jefinho and Nonato in the 36th minute after Hattab Abderrazak has opened the scoring for Morocco after 13 minutes.

The soccer tournament is going down a storm in Rio and IPC President Sir Philip Craven was very impressed with Messi and co. for highlighting the sport.

He said: “Thanks to this collaboration with UNICEF and the FC Barcelona Foundation, this video shows the skills and prowess of visually impaired footballers as they take on their idols.

"It is clear from the response of Messi, Busquets, Masip, Rakitic and Roberto that they find playing without sight very challenging. This highlights just how impressive football-5 players are, and the pin-point accuracy required to take a penalty kick without one of your most important senses.

“We hope it can show youngsters around the world that they too can do amazing things and that they have the same right to play as anyone else.”