FIFA World player of the year Lionel Messi shot through East London to the delight of football fans, Messi who made an impromptu appearance at Hackney Marshes and Brick Lane said he was shocked by the number of adoring fans that turned out to meet him. The quick-footed Argentine took a private jet, after a Barcelona training session, to Heathrow before a helicopter to Hackney Marshes to meet the grass roots of the game in action. His unexpected arrival caught the player's unaware and brought games to a stand still.