FIFA Honors Lionel Messi’s Record With Special Malayalam Tribute to Kerala Fans
FIFA celebrated Lionel Messi becoming the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer with a special Malayalam social media post, highlighting the deep passion for football among fans in Kerala, India, following his record-breaking 18th goal against Austria.
Highlights
- •FIFA honored Lionel Messi in Malayalam for becoming the all-time leading World Cup goal scorer.
- •Messi set the new record with 18 goals after scoring twice against Austria.
- •The tribute recognized the deep-rooted football passion found among fans in Kerala.
- •FIFA previously acknowledged Kerala's football culture during the Qatar World Cup and Vishu festival.
The global football governing body, FIFA, recently acknowledged Lionel Messi’s historic achievement in the World Cup with a unique tribute in the Malayalam language. This gesture underscored the immense and passionate football culture present in the southern Indian state of Kerala, where Messi enjoys a massive and dedicated fan base.
The official social media channels of FIFA shared a celebratory post honoring Lionel Messi for becoming the highest goal scorer in World Cup history. The caption, written entirely in Malayalam, translated to a high compliment: “Ten on ten for those who created him.” This notable milestone was reached after Messi scored two decisive goals during a match against Austria, bringing his total tournament goal tally to 18. This performance allowed him to surpass the previous record of 16 goals, held by the legendary German footballer Miroslav Klose.
Celebrating Messi and Kerala's Passion for Football
The post quickly gained significant traction across digital platforms, attracting widespread attention from millions of followers globally. Malayali football enthusiasts expressed their joy and surprise in the comment section, celebrating the recognition of their language and their profound love for the sport on such a prestigious international stage. This public acknowledgment of Lionel Messi in Malayalam serves as a bridge between global sporting excellence and regional cultural identity.
This incident is not an isolated instance of FIFA recognizing the fervor of Kerala’s football supporters. During the previous World Cup held in Qatar, the organization highlighted the intense fan culture in the region by sharing an image of a massive Messi cutout erected in the Malabar region. Furthermore, on the final day of that tournament, FIFA extended special greetings directly to the people of Kerala, reinforcing the bond between the global governing body and this specific football-crazy state.
Earlier this year in April, the official FIFA World Cup social media presence again tipped its hat to the region. They posted an image featuring Lionel Messi alongside a traditional Vishu Kani platter to commemorate the harvest festival, accompanied by the Malayalam greeting “Vishu Ashamsakal.” For the countless supporters in the region who consider the Argentine captain an inspiration, these digital nods represent more than just social media content; they are significant milestones that validate their unwavering dedication to the sport. As Lionel Messi continues to set records, the synergy between his legendary status and the enthusiasm of his fans in the state remains a highlight of this international soccer season.
,curated_key_highlights:[
