Vinay Nayudu
Doha
A fortnight ago, and much ahead of the kickoff to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, you would’ve been forgiven in Doha if you thought you were in Argentina or Brazil! Such has been the football fever and craziness of the football fans.
Yet, one of the most discussed topic among all fans, especially from Argentina, has been about the recent ‘spinal injury rules out Messi’ video which went viral after a huge cutout being put up by fans in Pullavoor, Kerala, fell off while being erected.
Surely, pictures and videos of Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar and cutouts in Pullavoor by a river have reached every corner of the footballing world.
While Argentinian, Mexican and English fans have been descending on Doha the last few days, the Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo calls have been reverberating here for long.
Fan parades at the Corniche (the marine drive here) has seen a mad rush of fans celebrating Lionel Messi from Maradona-land Argentina. Some of these have been impromptu and evening walkers by the sea have been taken by surprise.
Then, there was the arrival of four cyclists, who pedalled all the way from Buenos Aires and arrived in Doha via the Abu Samra Saudi border. They were given a boisterous welcome by Argentina fans in Qatar.The quartet – an author, a teacher, a travel agent and a content producer -- had been on the road for 177 days and covered 10,000km journey crossing 15 countries to reach their destination.
“We began this journey in May and every day was an incredible adventure since then,” said Lucas Ledezma, a physical education teacher. “People throughout Africa and the Middle East opened their doors to us. And now this incredible welcome in Qatar.”
“We’re here to inspire people – to tell everyone that you can do the impossible,” said Matias Vercesi, a content creator from Cordoba.
This was followed by the Indian community of expats who thronged the Corniche and Katara beach promenade to express their love for Messi.
Much earlier at the Bollywood Music Festival night – which included India singer Sunidhi Chauhan and Pakistan’s sufi vocalist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan – at the 80,000 capacity Lusail Stdium (venue for World Cup 2022 final), local Argentina fans were ecstatic. Among them was Nishat Mohammed. “I am just waiting for Argentina to play,” he said showing on his mobile phone his ticket for the match. “I can’t believe my luck that I would actually be getting to see Messi and Argentina play.”
And now as hours close in on Argentina’s opening match against Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, hordes of fans from Argentina have swarmed Qatar painting the small country in the light blue wave. “Hey, are you from that place where they didn’t keep Messi straight,” screamed a lady with laughter.
Souq Waqif in Doha (a famous bazaar with a mix of tradition and modernity) was flocked by Argentina fans on Monday afternoon chanting songs supporting the Albicelestes.
So not just Qatar, an entire world would be on their feet when Lionel Messi and Argentina take to the field in their opening match against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
