FIFA World Cup 2018: Kerala football fan cycles to Russia to watch Lionel Messi play
6 years, 6 months ago

FIFA World Cup 2018: Kerala football fan cycles to Russia to watch Lionel Messi play

India TV News  

As Kerala is in the grip of the FIFA World Cup 2018 fever, a football crazy fan from the state has cycled all the way to Russia to watch the tournament and realise his dream of meeting Argentina's living legend Lionel Messi. "Every day you meet new people, see new landscapes, new culture.," he said, adding both good and bad experiences came his way during the journey. But there were times when I saw the goodness in human beings as people whom I had never met gave me shelter, the warmth of their homes and offered food," the software engineer said. "The local people there are great fans of Indian film stars like Raj Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan and Mithun Chakraborty, while the younger ones especially enquired about Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai," he said.

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History of this topic

A Messi affair: Should Kerala focus on producing Blue Tigers rather than hosting the GOAT?
1 month, 2 weeks ago

A Messi affair: Should Kerala focus on producing Blue Tigers rather than hosting the GOAT?

New Indian Express  

On November 20, Kerala’s Sports Minister V Abdurahiman made an announcement that sent ripples of excitement through the footballing community across India. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the Argentine team's visit was a gesture to acknowledge the state’s deep love for football, and particularly for Messi, who has a massive fan following in the region. Kerala is known for …

Lionel Messi-led Argentina football team to visit India for two friendly matches in 2025
Top News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Lionel Messi-led Argentina football team to visit India for two friendly matches in 2025

India TV News  

The Indian football fans are set to witness glimpses of legendary Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team featuring in two games in Kerala in 2025. V Abdurahiman, Kerala's Minister for Sports, confirmed that the Inter Miami forward will feature in Argentina's full-strength national team in two friendly matches. “Messi would be there, so would be the full-strength national team …

Lionel Messi to play in India in 2025? Check Inter Miami star, Argentina football team’s potential itinerary
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Lionel Messi to play in India in 2025? Check Inter Miami star, Argentina football team’s potential itinerary

Live Mint  

Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team will return to India after 14 years, as the 2022 FIFA World Cup champions are scheduled to play an international friendly match in Kerala in 2025, Sports Minister V Abdurahiman confirmed on Wednesday. “All the financial assistance for organising this high-profile football event will be provided by the merchants of the state,” the …

Lionel Messi set to play in India in 2025 as Kerala ready to host Argentina's football team for friendly
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Lionel Messi set to play in India in 2025 as Kerala ready to host Argentina's football team for friendly

Hindustan Times  

Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Wednesday revealed that the Argentina football team, including legendary player Lionel Messi, will visit the state next year for an international match. Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi gestures during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Peru Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, the minister stated that the …

Lionel Messi to play in India? Kerala Sports Minister hopeful of hosting Argentina
Trending News
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Lionel Messi to play in India? Kerala Sports Minister hopeful of hosting Argentina

India Today  

Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced on Wednesday that the Argentina football team, featuring legendary Lionel Messi, will visit the state next year for an international match. Kerala is set to make history as FIFA World Cup Champions Argentina are expected to visit next year! pic.twitter.com/gT1yBrjJ9b — Pinarayi Vijayan November 20, 2024 "Kerala is set to make history as FIFA …

Messi, Argentina set to pull a big crowd in Beijing exhibition game against Australia
1 year, 7 months ago

Messi, Argentina set to pull a big crowd in Beijing exhibition game against Australia

China Daily  

Lionel Messi gestures to Chinese fans on a bus as he and other members of the Argentina national soccer team return to their hotel from practicing in Beijing June 13, 2023. Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning Argentina teammates are expected to draw almost 70,000 fans to Beijing Worker's Stadium for an exhibition against Australia. Messi's move to "continue my …

Messi, Argentina set to pull a big crowd in Beijing exhibition game against Australia
1 year, 7 months ago

Messi, Argentina set to pull a big crowd in Beijing exhibition game against Australia

China Daily  

Lionel Messi gestures to Chinese fans on a bus as he and other members of the Argentina national soccer team return to their hotel from practicing in Beijing June 13, 2023. Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning Argentina teammates are expected to draw almost 70,000 fans to Beijing Worker's Stadium for an exhibition against Australia. Messi's move to "continue my …

FIFA World Cup celebrations turn violent in parts of Kerala
2 years ago

FIFA World Cup celebrations turn violent in parts of Kerala

Hindustan Times  

Three people were stabbed in Kerala’s Kannur after an altercation between two groups Sunday night, whereas, three cops were injured in Kochi, police said following the night-long celebrations that turned violent in many parts of the state on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday as the fans celebrated Argentina’s glorious win against France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. …

FIFA World Cup 2022: Rosario Wiling Hometown Hero Lionel Messi's Title Dream On
2 years ago

FIFA World Cup 2022: Rosario Wiling Hometown Hero Lionel Messi's Title Dream On

News 18  

Fernanda Quiroga still remembers how Lionel Messi played football in what were then dirt roads around their working-class neighbourhood in Rosario, Argentina’s third-largest city. “The memory I have of him because he lived right in front of my house, is going to buy sweet pastries at his grandmother’s around the block and he was always kicking something.” FIFA World Cup …

Messi fans overjoyed in south Asia after Argentina semi win
2 years, 1 month ago

Messi fans overjoyed in south Asia after Argentina semi win

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Soccer fan Gazi Jahidul Haque …

The cult of Lionel Messi: From the pitch, to Buenos Aires, to the pilgrims of Doha
2 years, 1 month ago

The cult of Lionel Messi: From the pitch, to Buenos Aires, to the pilgrims of Doha

New York Times  

The Athletic has live coverage of Argentina vs France in the World Cup final. James Horncastle watched the on-pitch action at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Sam Lee mingled with Argentina fans in the nation’s capital city of Buenos Aires, and Jay Harris chatted with those Messi lovers from across the globe who have made the pilgrimage to Doha, as …

FIFA World Cup: Muslim body laments craze for soccer among youth in Kerala
2 years, 1 month ago

FIFA World Cup: Muslim body laments craze for soccer among youth in Kerala

Firstpost  

Nasar Faizy Koodathayi, general secretary of the Qutba committee under the Samastha Kerala Jam-Iyyathul Ulama, expressed concern over football fans spending too much money on erecting huge cutouts of their favourite soccer stars on the streets Thiruvananthapuram: An influential Sunni Muslim body in Kerala on Friday came out against soccer-crazy Muslim youth in the state who have erected huge cutouts …

Messi, Argentina, football frenzy: Kerala divided as FIFA World Cup fever takes hold
2 years, 1 month ago

Messi, Argentina, football frenzy: Kerala divided as FIFA World Cup fever takes hold

The Hindu  

Shortly after Argentina’s stunning loss to Saudi Arabia in the football World Cup in Doha on Tuesday, a call recording did the rounds on WhatsApp among Malayalees. RELATED: FIFA World Cup: Argentina’s 36-match unbeaten streak ends; Italy’s record stands The sliver of land wedged between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea has an eternal soft spot for football. | …

Argentina or Brazil? Football fans in India hedge their bets
2 years, 1 month ago

Argentina or Brazil? Football fans in India hedge their bets

Al Jazeera  

India may be cricket-crazy, but in the southern state of Kerala football is followed with religious fervor. He fondly remembers when he began watching football in 1998, his father bringing home a small colour TV just before Mario Zagallo’s side reached the final of the World Cup that year. “A lot of younger fans support Brazil because Argentina have not …

Kerala’s love for soccer belies developmental shortcomings
2 years, 1 month ago

Kerala’s love for soccer belies developmental shortcomings

The Hindu  

Six-year-old Radhin Renish is a Cristiano Ronaldo fan and, hence, supports Portugal in this World Cup to be held in Qatar Reeling off the names of the players from goalkeepers to strikers to validate the quality of the Portugal side, Radhin, however, does not give them any realistic chance but picks Brazil, Argentina, and France as favourites. Pullavoor, a village …

FIFA Shares Photo Of Cut Outs Of Messi, Ronaldo On Kerala River. CM Vijayan Reacts
2 years, 2 months ago

FIFA Shares Photo Of Cut Outs Of Messi, Ronaldo On Kerala River. CM Vijayan Reacts

ABP News  

New Delhi: A 'cut out' war unleashed in India just days ahead for FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. Giant cut outs of football legends Lionel Messi, talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and magician Neymar Jr popped up in Kerala's Pullavoor river. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan took to Twitter to thank FIFA.com for acknowledging 'Kerala's love and unmatched passion for football.' …

Who Loves Maradona More? A Social Media War Has Begun Between Bengal and Kerala Fans
4 years, 1 month ago

Who Loves Maradona More? A Social Media War Has Begun Between Bengal and Kerala Fans

News 18  

Few things affect Bengalis as much as football. It thus came as no surprise that when living football legend Diego Maradona or ‘El Diego‘ passed away, the community was left in shock and feeling a rather personal feeling of loss. In his Facebook post, the CM wrote, “The people of Kerala are also mourning along with football lovers around the …

With Messi gone, its Viva Brazil in Bengaluru!
6 years, 6 months ago

With Messi gone, its Viva Brazil in Bengaluru!

Deccan Chronicle  

Bengaluru: The FIFA World Cup has caught the imagination of fans around the world and India is no exception. In Bengaluru, Gowthampura, that everyone knows by it's other name - Mini Brazil - football frenzy is at fever pitch. In the local ground in Gowthampura, young children can be seen playing football sporting jerseys of Brazil and Argentina. Little wonder, …

World Cup 2018: Russia learns to swing to the Brazilian rhythm. But what will we do when the music stops?
6 years, 6 months ago

World Cup 2018: Russia learns to swing to the Brazilian rhythm. But what will we do when the music stops?

The Independent  

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A few days ago, at the time a Swedish fans took over …

Russia, here we come
6 years, 7 months ago

Russia, here we come

Deccan Chronicle  

The kickoff is a few hours away and as football buffs world over, sporting their favourite team jerseys, wait before the screens, a lucky few are planning to watch the matches in Russia, which is hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup that begins on Thursday. The tickets cost us Rs 25,000 per head and with the match tickets, we got …

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