Love for Di María's jersey

A jersey signed by Di María was given to Cristien Gomes, a Cape Verdean boy who grew up with the dream of one day wearing a tunic that would become his second skin.

His idol's jersey was presented to the young man by the President of the Republic of Cape Verde, José Maria Neves, and it brings to a happy end a story in which the information highways have made it possible, at an unstoppable speed, for this boyhood dream to come true.

It was through social media that Di María and Benfica learned of Cristien Gomes' desire to receive a shirt from the Argentinian star, whose magic has made millions of people happy around the world.

But the jersey didn't make the journey between continents without Di María's signature, making the link between a boy from Cape Verde and one of the best players in the world this century official and everlasting. 

The outcome of this story began to unfold when Di María saw a picture on social media of a boy who had painted a shirt with his name and number on the back.

And if the jersey was the dream, the rest of the kit that the young Cristien received is also the measure of the recognition that Benfica was not indifferent, offering the shorts and socks in combination with the jersey he dreamed of and received.

The boy from Ribeira da Janela also received a framed picture of his idol, signed by Di María, which was given to him by the first lady of Cape Verde.

Now Cristien has a new dream, fueled by his idol's gesture: to follow in Di María's footsteps.