Messi focus for grandson's football signature hunt

A football fan says he is paying tribute to his late grandfather by getting every member of a World Cup-winning team to sign a handmade replica of the tournament's trophy - and now has Lionel Messi in his sights.

Gabriel Goldsack, 34, lives in Germany, but his football-obsessed Argentinian grandfather was a devoted supporter of his national team.

After Argentina won the 2022 World Cup, Mr Goldsack vowed to collect every member of the team's signature on a replica trophy, in memory of his grandfather, who died the year before and did not see the win.

Mr Goldsack is one step closer to completing his journey after tracking down Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez in Birmingham.

After waiting for about four hours outside the club's training ground with other fans, Mr Goldsack said Martínez was intrigued by hearing the 34-year-old speaking Spanish in an Argentinian accent while holding an Argentinian flag.

"He asked if I was from Argentina and what I was doing here," Mr Goldsack told the BBC.

"I said 'I'm here because of you, I've brought you a letter' and explained everything.

"I spoke for a few minutes in Spanish. He was quite moved by the story.

"He said 'wow, that's great, keep going'.

"When he was about to leave, he put his arm out of his car and gave me a handshake. That was lovely."

Mr Goldsack also shared his story with other Villa fans while they were waiting outside the training ground.

"Some of them said, 'I don't want to meet Martinez myself now, I want you to meet him'," he laughed.

The 34-year-old has travelled across Europe on his mission and collected 23 signatures so far including the national team's manager, Lionel Scaloni.

Only four signatures remain before he finishes his quest - those of Franco Armani, German Pezzella and Marcos Acuñam - as well as the team's all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped player, Lionel Messi.

Mr Goldsack, who lives in Cologne with his girlfriend, said he would be organising a trip to Argentina to get the next signatures, then he would set his sights on Messi.

"I've sent letters and emails to [Messi's club Inter Miami] but I've not got an answer," he said, and added he was still thinking about how he might attract the player's attention.

When Mr Goldsack finishes his journey, he says he will display the trophy - a replica made by an Argentinian artist over a period of nine months - next to the ashes of his grandfather, Jorge Enrique Goldsack Pastor.

"But everyone called him Quito," Mr Goldsack said.

"He was obsessed with football. I love it too, but he'd go as far as to watch second or third division football in Bulgaria. He was in another league."

In particular, Mr Goldsack said his grandfather would talk about Messi.

"He always repeated how he was really disappointed how God was treating Messi," he said, in regards to the Argentinian team's performance in national competitions.

"He said 'when I die I'm going to speak to the big boss up there and try and change some things'.

"I remember looking up at the sky during the World Cup and thinking 'now's the time'."

Mr Goldsack decided to embark on his quest as a way of paying tribute to his grandfather.

"I remember my mum told me that in many cultures they pay tribute with pictures and tales and stories as a way to remember [loved ones]," he said.

"I thought 'I'm going to get a replica of the World Cup and get it signed to share your story and pay honour to you'."

But as the signatures get ticked off his to-do list, the 34-year-old had mixed feelings about the end of the project.

"It feels on the one hand, awesome - on the other hand, a little terrifying," he said.

"With my girlfriend, we've had a lot of fun doing this.

"She really likes treasure hunts and this is like a Europe-wide treasure hunt, going to training grounds, hotels...on the one hand I want to finish the replica, on the other hand, it keeps us going."

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