Bangladeshi soccer followers chanted “Messi, Messi,” shedding tears of pleasure and dancing within the streets to rejoice the triumph of Argentina — a rustic half a world away — over France within the World Cup remaining Sunday. In accordance with police, a whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals defied chilly temperatures to observe the match on big screens arrange within the capital Dhaka’s key squares, roads and soccer grounds. Many wore Argentina’s sky blue and white nationwide colors and sported Lionel Messi’s iconic quantity 10 jersey.
“I do not know why I’m crying, however I’m crying for him,” Nafiun Rahman Zian, an 18-year previous Messi fan, advised AFP.
“Years of wait (is over) to see the love of my life, the little magician, maintain probably the most prestigious trophy which he desired a lot,” he mentioned.
Second of Argentina successful the WC!
This Is not Buenos aires or cordoba or every other metropolis in Argentina! That is in Dhaka Bangladesh 17000 1000’s km away from Argentina however ardour for Argentina is immense. We love Argentina like its our personal! Viva pic.twitter.com/leHWAkEoqx— Robiul hossain(@robiulhossainn) December 19, 2022
Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 170 million individuals, is cricket mad, with its nationwide workforce the most effective on the earth.
Que llegue a todo el mundo
Argentina Bangladesh #Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/dRElJxv7mO
— Juani (@JuaniiiSj) December 14, 2022
It’s, nevertheless, ranked among the many backside in international soccer.
However each 4 years through the World Cup, the nation renews its love affair with the game, as many younger individuals divide themselves largely into two rival teams — one supporting Argentina, the opposite Brazil.
Sunday’s greatest crowd gathered on the Dhaka College campus on the coronary heart of the town, as many individuals painted the Argentinian flag on their cheeks to observe the proceedings from Qatar.
The gang grew to become ecstatic when Messi scored the primary aim of the sport, with a penalty.
“I simply cannot specific how joyful I’m,” mentioned Imon Gazi, wiping his eyes after Argentina’s Angel Di Maria scored to make it 2-0.
‘Best participant on the earth’
The throng fell into an eerie silence as a brace from France’s Kylian Mbappe took the match into further time at 2-2.
“I felt like I might endure a coronary heart assault,” mentioned Abdus Sabur, a 40-year-old bike driver, who says he’s a Brazil supporter however switched to Argentina within the remaining due to Messi.
“Mbappe is 23. He can play three extra World Cups. This time the Cup ought to go to Messi,” he mentioned, as one other Mbappe penalty took the match into the a shootout, with the rating at 3-3.
However when Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel slotted within the successful penalty, the horde on the college burst into wild celebrations.
“A lot of my pals, particularly those that help Brazil, taunted me and fellow Argentina supporters that we didn’t win something for the reason that 1986 World Cup, after I was not even born,” mentioned Mohammad Hasan, 19.
“Messi has proved he’s the best participant on the earth. He’s even higher than Diego Maradona or his rival Cristiano Ronaldo. The controversy is over,” he mentioned.
Bangladesh’s Argentina-Brazil rivalry sees supporters in rural cities paint their homes within the international locations’ respective colours, and a minimum of seven individuals have died attempting to show the nationwide flags over their properties, in response to police — after being electrocuted and falling off rooftops.
Not less than three individuals have additionally died after rival soccer followers clashed in rural cities, police mentioned.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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