Lionel Messi Umbrellas in show in Kerala's Thrissur Pooram Festival - Watch

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The love for Lionel Messi in India is massive. People across the nation have huge love and respect for the Argentina talisman.

But West Bengal and Kerala eclipse every other part of the country when it comes to love for Lionel Messi and Argentina. The fans in these parts are devoted fanatics of Messi and take the definition of support to a different level.

Messi fulfilled his dream and the dream of his millions of fans by lifting the World Cup in Qatar last year. It was Argentina's third World Cup title, their first since the late Diego Maradona lifted in 1986. Los Albicelestes beat France in penalties in the final as Messi lifted the World Cup.

Before the World Cup, the gigantic cut-outs of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo on a Kerala river went viral across the world. And Kerala has done it again. The Southern state of India has avid followers of Messi, who took their favourite hero to a state festival.

Thrissur Pooram is a huge festival which takes place in the Thrissur district of Kerala. And Messi made his way into this year's festival. Messi's image found a place among the elephant umbrellas displayed at the festival.

The picture of the Argentina captain lifting the World Cup in Qatar was used for the Kudamattam, which is the display of colourful umbrellas in the festival. The crowd present at the festival had a huge cheer after Messi's image was raised. The Elephants and their handlers put up a spectacle, and Messi's image gave it a heightened level.

Check Out Messi in Thrissur Pooram

Lionel Messi has played 165 matches for Argentina, scoring 102 goals in them. The 35-year-old won the Copa America in 2021, and backed that up with World Cup triumph in 2022. He currently plays for French club PSG and has 31 goals in 70 appearances for them.