The streets of Qatar were abuzz as Lionel Messi’s arrival ended all forms of denial of a World Cup in November, let alone in the Middle East. Argentina had arrived with pomp and glamour.
An entourage of Indian drummers eagerly awaited one of football’s greatest players, beating their hearts away as they welcomed the bus ferrying La Albiceleste.
Other supporters from different continents were overwhelmed by how Messi was celebrated even before he stepped into the stadiums for kick-off. Many of them expect the best from Him as the GOAT of football.
A crowd of more than 500 people had waited until 4:00 AM for the arrival of Messi and his team players Argentina. The number of fans from India and Argentina was evenly distributed as they waited to welcome the GOAT.
A large number of football fans have turned up for the football World Cup 2022, most of them spending their fortunes in Qatar’s World Cup business boom.
The Argentines arrived on Thursday morning from Abu Dhabi, where they played an international friendly match with the United Arab Emirates. After ending with a victory of 5-0 Messi inspired the win with his 91st goal internationally.
The crowd and fans of Argentina came with drum sets decorated with “Leo” Messi portrait to the team base at Qatar University. An estimated number of about 5000 members gathered to celebrate the arrival of Messi.
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Argentina will face Saudi Arabia on Tuesday in their pool of Group C which also includes Mexico and Poland.
“If this is going to be Leo’s last World Cup there can be no better place for it,” said Munish Sharma who recalled seeing Messi score the winning goal when Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in a friendly match in Doha in 2010.
Jersey is all over Qatar from Indian fans wearing their favourite national teams including Brazil, Argentina and England. This a top-notch level of football fanatics as we wait for the official opening ceremony on Sunday.
“They do make a lot of noise,” said Laura Valero who arrived from Buenos Aires on Tuesday. “If those drums are going to play here every night then the team will never get to sleep,” she said.
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“All my friends are here so I could not say no,” she declared.
“We wanted to see Leo, it’s a shame,” said Diego Cordovez, whose voice was hoarse from hours of singing.
“But he needs rest, that’s more important,” he added.
Messi is on the lookout to aim for a victory for this one last dance in this competition.
