In winning the Europa League with Manchester United, Henrikh Mkhitaryan fulfilled a childhood pledge he made long ago to one of his footballing idols.
The Armenia forward scored United's second goal in their 2-0 win over Ajax, and received a special message of congratulation from his old chum Youri Djorkaeff.
Indeed, Djorkaeff, a World Cup winner in 1998 for France who is himself of Armenian descent, posted a lovely old photograph of himself and the young Miki, adding: "You told me you would one day win the cup too!"
*that day you told me you would one day win the Cup too...you deserve it my friend!!!!Congratulation @HenrikhMkh��bravo @ManUtd��@armenia ���� pic.twitter.com/6waoak6cPk
- Youri Djorkaeff (@youridjorkaeff) May 25, 2017
It wasn't long before Mkhitaryan responded in kind, thanking Djorkaeff for his continued support over the years.
Thank you so much @youridjorkaeff ! Seems like just yesterday we took this picture and now I get to fulfill my goals just like you������ #mufc https://t.co/h9hJh6X0Pt
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan (@HenrikhMkh) May 25, 2017
How lovely to see -- a lifelong friendship born entirely of football. It really is inspirational stuff.
It's also a pleasure to learn that vastly oversized jorts were obviously all the rage in Armenia back then too.