Little did 7 year-old Denzel Jo Armani from B’kara know what awaited him as he landed in Brasil earlier this week to attend the FIFA World Cup Semi Final match representing Malta in the international McDonald’s™ Player Escort Programme.

Walking onto the pitch, hand in hand with Netherland’s renowned star player Daley Blind proved itself to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Denzel Jo.

“When I found out I would be escorting Blind I just couldn’t believe it! I can’t begin to describe the excitement I experienced walking onto that football pitch, surrounded by thousands of screaming fans!” he said.

Accompanied by his father, Joseph Armani, Denzel travelled to Rio to attend the FIFA World Cup Semi Final between Netherlands and Argentina which was played on Wednesday 9th July.

“We are very grateful for this fantastic opportunity and we would like to thank McDonald’s™ once again for making this dream a reality,” added Denzel’s father Joseph.

“McDonald’s™ has truly made my dream come true!” a very excited Denzel said. “The football pitch seemed so much larger than it did on TV and I don’t think I have seen so many people in all my life! It was everything I expected – tenfold! This is a memory that I will treasure for the rest of my life.”

McDonald’s™ has been an Official Sponsor and Official Restaurant of the FIFA World Cup since 1994. McDonald’s is proud to bring the passion of the sport to millions of customers and fans in more than 100 countries through promotions, contests, advertisements and in-store merchandising.

Laura Jasenaite, Director of Marketing for Malta and Greece at McDonald’s developmental licensee Premier Capital, said: “We are very happy to have been able to offer this unique opportunity to Denzel Jo, and hope to be able to reward other children with similar experiences in the future. McDonald’s™ proudly sponsors initiatives such as these as a token of its constant gratitude towards its consumers.”