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Messi's Fans In India Are Overjoyed

By Linus Garg
First publised on 2022-12-19 07:01:34

About the Author

Sunil Garodia Linus tackles things head-on. He takes sides in his analysis and it fits excellently with our editorial policy. No 'maybe's' and 'allegedly' for him, only things in black and white.

When the World Cup fever reached its peak on Sunday and Argentina played defending champions France for the trophy, fans of the former (or more specifically Lionel Messi) outnumbered those of the latter (although Mbappe is building up a fan base that is growing phenomenally by the day as he is seen as the next superstar) by 10:1 or maybe more. In football crazy states like West Bengal, Kerala and Goa, the craze was unbelievable with flags of Argentina and Messi cut outs dotting major thoroughfares, lanes and bylanes. All clubs and posh eateries, not wishing to lose out on the craze, installed big screens and announced discounts of food and beverages to draw in fans.

In the end, Indian fans lived the dream with Messi as the iconic player did not disappoint. He scored two goals, set one up with a brilliant manoeuvre and lifted the trophy to the unending joy of millions of his fans worldwide. It was dream come true for Messi who has indicated that this will be his last World Cup. Like the cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar, the World Cup was one trophy that Messi had never held in his hand. Tendulkar did it in 2011 on his 6th appearances in the Cup in what was his last World Cup final. Messi did it on his fifth appearance.

The match was tense and France were completely outplayed in the first half. They could not possess the ball and Argentina were ahead 2-0 when the half-time whistle blew. But France made a spectacular comeback in the second half as Kylian Mbappe showed his class and levelled the score. In the shootout, it was heartbreak for France as they missed one and Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman's shot. Argentina won 4-2 and took the Cup after waiting for 36 years. This was also the first time in two decades that a Latin American team won the World Cup.

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