As the 2022 FIFA World Cup is knocking at the door, the world is getting ready again after four years to witness the most prominent football festival.
Though there is still some time for the mega event, the football fever has reached every nook and corner of the globe. Indians are also getting ready for the Qatar World Cup, even though cricket is the most popular sport here.
The football mania has taken over the country’s southern state, Kerala, where football is very close to people’s hearts. Kerala has been earning global traction for crafting giant cutouts of three football icons- Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr.
FIFA.com has shared the beautiful sight on their official Twitter account. The viral photograph shows giant cutouts of seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, Portuguese legend Ronaldo and Brazil star Neymar on a local river. After Messi announced that he would be competing in his final FIFA World Cup this year in Qatar, some locals in Kerala erected a massive cutout of him. This initiated the current trend.
As soon as the photograph surfaced on the internet, football fans worldwide were delighted after witnessing the view. However, it’s still a dream for Indian people to watch their nation on the biggest stage. Sunil Chhetri-led India is currently sitting in 106th place in the FIFA rankings.
Since being shared, FIFA’s Twitter post has garnered more than 35,000 likes so far.
A local of Kerala noted, “This is the power of Kerala football fans.”
After FIFA’s post, Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan shared a Twitter post and paid his gratitude to FIFA for the acknowledgement on behalf of the people of Kerala.
Vijayan noted, “Kerala and Keralites have always loved football, and it is on full display with the Qatar World Cup around the corner. Thank you, FIFA, for acknowledging our unmatched passion for the sport.”
The FIFA World Cup will begin on 20 November, with the first game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium
