BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA are being urged to take a surprise new hero to the World Cup after beating Italy – and he’s only 14.
Ball boy Afan Cizmic is the unlikely star after his quick thinking left Gianluigi Donnarumma without his penalty cheat sheet during last week’s dramatic shootout.
Cizmic took advantage of an altercation between the two goalkeepers, stealing Donnarumma’s list of the Bosnia squad’s preferred sides.
It happened when Bosnia No1 Nikola Vasilj saw his own paper list ripped up mid-shootout.
Cizmic spotted a chance to sneak into the net and take Donnarumma’s, hiding it from the Manchester City giant.
The former Milan man was furious, complaining to the referee about it, and went on to lose the tie.
Things got even worse as Vasilj and Bosnia had a spare, although it wasn’t needed with Rasmus Hojlund and Bryan Cristante smashing over and hitting the bar.
Donnarumma didn’t make a single save as Italy were dumped out, failing to qualify for the THIRD World Cup in a row.
He dived the right way for two of the four pens, getting a hand to the deciding one but letting it squirm under his body.
And Cizmic has now been tracked down by Bosnian TV channel Face, revealing that he kept the instructions, showing them to his dad later that night.
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The youth striker for NK Celik said: “I saw the piece of paper and immediately knew what it was. I grabbed it and hid it.
“It had all the information about our players on it. Without that paper, Donnarumma could only rely on his instincts.”
He added: “He [Donnarumma] was disappointed and very angry.
“He took out his towel and realized the paper was gone. He searched, but in vain.”
Cizmic, who has now blown up online and become an instant fan favourite, brought the paper out of his jacket pocket and showed the TV.
It is claimed he has decided to auction the artifact, which seems destined to go down in national history, and donate the money to charity.
Many are now calling for him to be taken to USA, Mexico, and Canada as a guest and lucky charm.
Bosnia will play co-hosts Canada as well as Qatar and Switzerland in an open Group B.
