Rio de Janeiro, June 17: The video says it all. A little boy was left heartbroken by his hero Lionel Messi after the Argentine refused a handshake with the kid. (See the video at the end of this story)

World Cup Special

The incident happened before Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2014 opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Maracana Stadium here on June 15 (Sunday). Messi scored as Argentina won the match 2-1.

The video on YouTube shows a small boy, who is the mascot at the World Cup, approaching Messi as he walks out for the game.

The boy extends his hand towards a walking Messi only to be refused and he carries on to shake hands with the standing match officials closeby.

The boy standing in a line to escort the players onto the field, came out seeing Messi. After the snub, he went back and stood in the line. You could watch the reaction of the boy who was left stunned, heartbroken by his super hero.

The video has gone viral and has already been watched by close to 3,50,000 fans (till June 17 afternoon) across the globe.

Messi's fans, however, defended the Argentina captain but others were angry with this gesture. Some called Messi's snub to the boy as "arrogant".

There were reports that Messi came back and shook the hands of one of the kids but it was not the one he refused earlier.

The kids who escort the players onto the field of play before the match are chosen from across the world as part of McDonald's Player Escort Programme. Children between the age group of 6 and 10 are used to lead the players on the pitch. 1,408 children from 70 countries have been chosen.

Here are some of the tweets on the incident

All that kid wanted was a handshake from messi, now his life is ruined

— Juan N Only ™ (@Jaramillo623) June 15, 2014

That handshake would've made that little boys life. Smh Messi. So arrogant

— Louis Van Codo (@Codo_Rush) June 15, 2014

You dont everyday see messi n the small kid wanted a handshake n messi ignored him. Ronaldo arrogant uh ? Get ur facts right people !

— Yash (@YashRonaldo7) June 15, 2014

I'd be an honor to handshake messi, my life would be all the way complete

— mena (@JasmineLovo) June 15, 2014

i dont think Messi saw the little kid when he held up his hand for a handshake

— R. Sterling (@ivanx10_) June 15, 2014

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