A five-year-old sports fan who sparked a social media storm after he was photographed wearing a plastic bag jersey to resemble Barcelona football player Lionel Messi may get the chance to meet his idol.

Murtaza Ahmadi could not get his hands on a real jersey, so his brother helped him write Messi's name and number on a blue and white plastic bag, resembling the football star's Argentinian jersey.

Now it appears Murtaza, who lives in the Afghan town of Jaghori, south-west of Kabul, could meet Messi, with reports the football star has been in communication with the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) to set up a meeting.

Murtaza Ahmadi is a fan of Barcelona player Lionel Messi. ( AFP; AFP: Rodrigo Arangua )

"The management of the [AFF] has received emails from Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona regarding the meeting," spokesman Syed Ali Kazemi told news agency EFE.

In a post on its website, the AFF confirmed they had contacted the football star, saying it would "soon arrange Messi's meeting with Murtaza".

No details were given on when or where the meeting could take place.

Photos of Murtaza wearing his homemade jersey surfaced online several weeks ago after they were shared by his family, quickly making their way around the globe.

However, the source of the photos was originally unclear, and it was thought Murtaza was living in Iraq.

The boy's uncle, a refugee living in Australia, confirmed the boy's identity, the BBC reported.

Murtaza's father Arif Ahmadi told CNN his son "loves football and Messi" and had asked for a jersey like the one worn by his idol.

"I told him that we were living in a poor village far from the city and it was impossible for me to get him the shirt," Mr Ahmadi said.

"He kept crying for days asking for the shirt until his brother Hamayon helped him make one from the plastic bag to make him happy."