Uplifting photo of W-League star Carson Pickett meeting No.1 fan goes viral

An uplifting photo of a US soccer star and a young fan has gone viral, melting the sporting world’s hearts in process.

Brisbane Roar star Carson Pickett who plays in Australia’s W-League was snapped with her No.1 fan, 21-month-old Joseph Tidd.

Both Tidd and Pickett, who also plays for Orlando Pride in the NWSL, were born without a left forearm – and the moment of magic captured between the two special friends has captured the imagination of the world.

The photo of the pair, taken in April, spread like wildfire after it was shared on Twitter by Becky Burleigh, a former coach and mentor of Pickett.

Earlier this year the young, aspiring soccer star’s father, Miles Tidd, appeared on the Today Show in the US to shed some light on the heart-warming meeting.

“Carson knelt down next to Joseph and showed him her arm,” he said.

“It was this instant bond we can’t begin to understand.”

He also revealed that special connection to Fox News who reported the pairs catch-up after Orlando's season-opener.

“He kind of sees those who look like him and I think he relates to them,” Joseph’s father said in the report.

The photo was first posted to Instagram last month by Tidd’s parents, who run and an Instagram account dedicated to their son’s exciting life and accomplishments.

Since that first meeting, Pickett, who is also originally from the Jacksonville area in Florida, and Tidd have reunited on a number of occasions.