Campus Craze

The 'Messi(ah)' is here!

Salman Rob

Photo: Star

"God makes me play well. That is why I always make the sign of a cross when I walk out on to the pitch. I feel I would be betraying him if I didn't."
-Diego Maradona

And the God of football spoke. Diego Maradona is one of the only reasons this country had and still has a soft corner for Argentina and football itself. Even though Bangladesh has never been in the World Cup, the passion for the sport was never missed out on. It is one game that has and still is being played all around the country on a regular basis. Tournaments are being hosted almost every month-- a big leap for the Bangladeshi football scene.

But all that Maradona phase was back in the 90's, so why do people, young or old, still love Argentina so much? Well, we all know the answer to that-- the soft corner for the Argentina team has been reignited again by none other than Lionel Messi. The little boy with his superb runs, blistering shots and messy hair has held on to the craze that Maradona once started.

"Messi!Messi!Messi!" is a name you hear when a bunch of students are having a conversation on what is going to happen when Argentina plays Nigeria in Dhaka. Mehraz Akbar Hyderi, a student of Maple Leaf International School, talks about his views and excitement on the game, “I am pretty excited considering the fact that two of the world's top international squads are coming to Bangladesh and we can actually see them use our national football stadium to create some magic on the pitch which we lacked. Messi is my favourite because he simply blows your mind when he plays. He's not selfish at all and he can deliver defense shattering passes and finally he scores like a natural striker." Along with the excitement comes the added grief of the ticket prices for all the young hopefuls waiting to catch a glimpse of their football idol. "The ticket prices for the game is very high, so I am planning to watch the game with my friends in my room with lots of chips and cold beverages. It is more comfortable and you also get to see the replays which is somehow better, I have to admit", adds Hyderi.

Muhith Ahmed Chowdhury, a student of University of Hull, London, and a big football fanatic, talks about his thoughts and expectations of the game, “The Argentine team is a role model for many Bangladeshi football enthusiasts. Seeing their heroes perform in training and during the match could teach our boys a trick or two. Hopefully, this will be a start to many international football games that Dhaka will host. If the volume of the games increases, students will have more to talk about over tea. And we may also go to the gallery with our friends, provided that the ticket price decreases the next time (hopefully, there will be one!). But, none the less, I am very excited about the game and seeing Messi playing on our grounds.”

Dhaka had come to life during the match, and ticket prices did fall a bit, much to the delight of the young students. One can only hope that we hold on to this positive spirit for a long time!

DID YOU KNOW?

Diana Spencer

Diana Frances Spencer, Princess of Wales, was born on July 1, 1961, at Park House near Sandringham, Norfolk. She was the youngest daughter of the then Viscount and Viscountess Althorp, now the late Earl Spencer and the Hon Mrs Shand-Kydd. She had two elder sisters, Jane and Sarah, and a younger brother, Charles. Lady Diana was sent to boarding school, eventually attending West Heath Public School in Kent. There she excelled at sports, particularly swimming, but she failed all her O levels. Nevertheless, in later years she recalled fond school day memories, and supported her old school. After school, she worked in London, first as a nanny, occasionally a cook, and then as an assistant at the Young England kindergarten in Knightsbridge.

Information source: Internet.