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.
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