Messi-led Argentina national team to play in Kerala next year
World Cup-winning Argentinian football team led by iconic Lionel Messi will play in Kochi next year, Kerala State Sports Minister V Abdurahiman announced on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi may or may not be able to lift the elusive FIFA World Cup this summer, but he’s already won the internet by starring in an adorable animated short film for sports drink manufacturers Gatorade that has garnered over 4.5 million eyeballs in less than 24 hours.
The film, a little over four minutes long, chronicles Messi’s life, right from his birth to him starring for Catalan giants Barcelona.
The fact that he had to get growth hormone injections has been covered too and while there are a few cringeworthy moments, it’s an pretty good watch on the whole.
Advertisement
Argentina’s favourite son hasn’t quite made the desired impact on the international stage and the 2014 FIFA World Cup final against Germany is touched upon briefly as well.
Have a look:
Messi and Argentina have come close to lifting a major international trophy, only to fall at the final hurdle, in the Copa America and the World Cup both.
The 30-year-old has a winner’s medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics in his vast trophy cabinet, along with a gold from the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Success at the senior international stage has not been forthcoming, however, and hopes are high that this time in Russia, Messi will be able to light up the pitch.
DON’T MISS | 2018 FIFA World Cup: Power-packed Germans primed for title defence
The diminutive wizard has sought to temper fans’ expectations by claiming La Albiceleste are not favourites, but any team that can count on his superlative talent will always be considered a frontrunner.
Since Argentina hired Chilean manager Jorge Sampaoli last year, things have looked up for the two-time world champions, but the World Cup is the real deal and it remains to be seen if Messi and Co can go on and win it.
Messi hit a hat-trick as they swamped Haiti 4-1 in a warm-up tie, but there are reports that their preparations for the World Cup may take a hit as their final friendly fixture, a June 9 clash with Israel, may be called off.
Sampaoli’s men are in Group D, along with Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria.
They open their campaign by facing off against Iceland on June 16.
Advertisement
