Colby Hitchcock is a 10-year-old soccer fanatic with a congenital heart defect.

Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee added to the Hendersonville resident's love of soccer on Thursday night. It will grant his wish to meet his idol, FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who is considered the best soccer player in the world.

"I was really surprised," said Colby, who let out a yell when he was told he'd get to meet Messi next season. "I was really happy."

Colby was born with the heart defect. He's had six surgeries, starting at 3 months old. Last year he had a pacemaker installed.

"We found out at the 20-week ultrasound that Colby was going to be born with a congenital heart defect that would require multiple surgeries throughout the first couple years of his life," said his dad, Jason Hitchcock. "That's kind of been the journey he's been on since the day he was born."

It hasn't kept Colby from playing soccer. He plays club ball for Tennessee United.

"We've watched him develop this love of soccer," said his mom, Becca Hitchcock. "It was hard at first because at first they said he wouldn't be able to play because of his heart.

"Then to watch him beat the odds in every way, and now he gets to see the player that he looks up to — it's awesome."

A date has not been set for when Colby and his family will meet Messi. It will be in 2020 during FC Barcelona's season.

First, he'll get a chance to be part of Nashville SC. Colby will be an honorary captain at Nashville SC's home game at Nissan Stadium on July 27 with Indy Eleven.

"I'm really excited about that," said Colby, who was presented a jersey with his name on the back by goalkeeper Connor Sparrow and defender Taylor Washington.

"We'll do the best we can to show him a lot of fun," Washington said. "We're not Messi, but we'll make it the best environment that we can."

Beth Torres, the president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee, said Colby's wish was special considering the partnership with Nashville SC.

"Every wish kid has a great story and a reason they picked their wish," Torres said.

"We loved Colby's wish because it's truly his passion. Soccer is his passion. It's all he thinks about, dreams about and talks about."

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Reach Tom Kreager at 615-259-8089 or tkreager@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Kreager.