Fans are becoming increasingly excited as the month-long football festival approaches with only 17 days left. They can't wait to see their favorite players battle it in Qatar. Back home, devoted supporters prepare for the largest sporting event and travel great distances to cheer on their preferred teams. For instance: At Pullavoor in Kerala's Kozhikode, there is a 30-foot-tall cut-out of Argentine sensation Lionel Messi, amid the Kurungattu Kadavu river.
Online excitement is generated by a behind-the-scenes film showing devoted admirers dragging the enormous cut-out through the hamlet. In the video Rizwan posted on Twitter, a group of young people is seen holding a cut-out of Lionel Messi wearing the white and sky-blue Argentina jersey. The clip shows an aerial view of their journey through the village road.
The same user also tweeted a picture of the finished product, which showed the cut-out standing proudly in the middle of the river over a rather green region.
In response to Kerala's obsession with football, one person wrote: "It's unbelievable, man. Another person said, "Just picture the celebrations in Kerala when Messi finally wins the golden trophy! A third person compared Leo Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo, saying, "Leo Messi will always have the streets," despite Cristiano being the most popular sports figure on social media.
Fans in Kerala are optimistic that Messi and his Argentina side would take home the title in Qatar. A member of one of the several Messi fan clubs said, "We are convinced that this is the year that our Mishiha (Messiah) will finally get his hands on the World Cup,"Ahmed, a member of one of the many Messi fan clubs in Kozhikode told The News Minute.
It's noteworthy that this will be Messi's final World Cup. "Will this be my final World Cup? Positively "According to Goal, Messi spoke to Star+. "I'm keeping track of the days till the World Cup. Anxiety and nervousness are present in little amounts. Wanting things to happen immediately and having existing worries over what may transpire. How are we going to do on this final one? On the one hand, we're anxious for it to happen, but on the other, we're afraid because we want it to succeed "said he.
On November 20, the 32 teams competing for the biggest honour in international football will begin play in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup.