North Korea Hopes New Football Academy Will Unearth Next Lionel Messi

Argentine captain Lionel Messi "is the most popular player among students at the Pyongyang International Football School, a fledgling facility North Korean officials hope will unearth a talent like the Barcelona great," according to Patrick Johnston of REUTERS. North Korean Asian Football Confederation official Han Un Gyong said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "was the driving force behind the school, which opened in June last year." The facility "caters for 200 boys and girls aged nine and above who are chasing dreams of football stardom." Han said that "students are selected from around the country after scouting and playing in trial matches." Han said, "All the children they want to be good players, like Kaka and Messi, many students, they love Messi, because Messi is very honest." Han said that "she would love four times World Player of the Year Messi to come and see the facility." Han: "Yes, why not? Yes, I want to invite him" (REUTERS, 12/2).