Six year-old Brazilian prodigy signed by Barcelona

Rio de Janeiro, June 16 (IANS): European giants Barcelona have signed six-year-old Brazilian prodigy Artur Miani to its fabled youth academy, La Masia.

Miani was offered a place at the Catalan club’s La Masia football program Friday, following in the footsteps of modern day legends Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi.

He was registered on Barcelona’s website by older sister Gabriela and, following successful trials in May, has been invited to join the club in September, reported Xinhua.

“I am so proud. My son has been signed by one of the biggest clubs in the world,” Artur’s father Adilson Miani told Globoesporte.

“He is six years old so he cannot go alone. I can’t leave the country now so his mother will probably go with him.”

“It’s unbelievable to think that his ability has allowed him to train at the place that produced players like Messi. It’s going to be a fantastic experience for him.”