Rescued child workers to lead Messi onto the field

It will be a day that will probably remain in their memories forever. Four rescued child labourers will lead footballer Lionel Messi and other players on to the field when Argentina and Venezuela meet for a friendly match in Kolkata next month.

According to a statement Tuesday by NGO Save the Children, four former child workers have been chosen to lead the Argentinean soccer player and others to the field Sep 2.

Rajen Bhuia, a 14-year-old rescued child labourer who is one of the four kids, said: "To watch Messi play live will be the most unforgettable moment of my life. I want to be a football player like him one day."

An ardent football fan, he added: "I go to Salt Lake everyday to practice football for three hours early in the morning."

Thomas Chandy of Save the Children said: "Using the platform provided by this match we would like to draw the attention of people that they can and must contribute to making a change in the lives of children."

"Infant mortality is still very high in the country... nearly two million children under the age of five die every year in India," he added.