Summary Lionel Messi laid the first stone at a future African Cup of Nations venue in Gabon on Saturday.
PORT-GENTIL (AFP) - 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.
