Barcelona invites wounded school shooting victim to club facilities

Barcelona is hoping to make a dream come true for a 15-year-old boy who suffered multiple wounds in last month's shooting at a Florida high school.

Anthony Borges, one of many injured in the attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 people, is a lifelong Barcelona supporter who once trained at the club's academy near Fort Lauderdale.

Barcelona hailed Borges' heroic efforts in saving lives, and immediately offered medical assistance to him and his family. The club also invited the teenger to meet the players at the club's facilities.

Borges is currently recovering in hospital after taking five bullets to the back and limbs while protecting fellow students from the shooter.

"I thank Barca for all its support and for going to all this trouble to help cheer up my son," Anthony's father, Royer, told the club's official website. "I understand that the club's doctors also helped with his recovery.

"As a family, we are grateful. Not just for the family, but for many people, a child's joy is the biggest thing. When you see your child is happy, nothing else matters. The cost or effort involved is insignificant next to seeing your son happy.

"He never expected Barca to do this. Neither did I. When he was about to go in for surgery, by chance I heard the voicemail, because I couldn't receive calls, and put the phone on loudspeaker so he could hear the message. He was smiling so much!"