Miles away from Argentina, Messi’s farewell hits home for his Indian fans

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported that Lionel Messi’s farewell with Argentina resonated strongly in India, especially in football-hungry communities in Kerala, Kolkata and Mumbai. The piece said fans followed his final international appearance from nearly 15,000 kilometres away, treating the moment as deeply personal rather than simply a sporting event.

The article focused on two supporters as examples of that devotion. One, Yadil Iqbal from Kodungallur in Kerala, travelled for about 40 hours to Buenos Aires to try to attend Messi’s last game with Argentina. Al Jazeera said he initially left without a ticket, later bought one at resale for about $1,000, and had spent years showing his admiration through a large Messi mural near his home and social-media posts that even drew a reply from the player. Another fan, Sagar Shinde of Mumbai, described Messi as the player who made him love football and said many supporters stayed up overnight for live screenings despite the time difference.

Beyond the individual stories, the article said Messi’s popularity in India has built over years through Argentina’s World Cup runs and his club career. A football specialist cited by Al Jazeera described Messi as a cultural icon in Argentina whose status now extends to fans abroad. The story shows how his retirement from international duty is being felt not just in Buenos Aires, but across a global fan base that sees him as more than a star athlete.