Messi-merised

His ‘feat’ — a grainy cellphone snap of the soccer star being rushed out of the terminal amid heavy security.

Souvik Ghose,a Jadavpur University engineering student,says he will bunk college on Friday,along with his gang of friends,to be at the Salt Lake stadium to witness the FIFA friendly between Argentina and Venezuela. “We have bought tickets for Rs 2,800 each. I could kill to get those,”

he adds with a grin.

Besides the localites,many soccer enthusiasts and Messi fans have travelled to Kolkata from all over the country. Derek Pereira,a banking professional from Mumbai,calls the opportunity to watch the Argentina team play,even if it’s a friendly,“a once-in-a-lifetime experience”.

“This is my moment. Being a die-hard Argentina fan seems to have paid off,” he says.

Anticipating that this would give Indian football a shot-in-the-arm,sports enthusiasts are also raving. “I just hope Messi’s trip renews people’s interest in the indigenous version of the sport,” says Srijan Roy Chowdhury,an analyst working with an international bank,who will not be able to make it to the city but will be “there in spirit”.

Brand publisher Debolin Sen,who will be flying down to Kolkata from Mumbai for the match,says,“Just a few days ago,Liverpool launched their football academy in India. Arsenal also conducted a nationwide hunt for young talent some years ago. FC Barcelona has their academy in India. This match will go a long way in bringing money,recognition and quality to Indian football.”

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