15,000km, 32 hours: Kerala fan makes it to Messi's farewell in Argentina

Yadil M Iqbal, a die-hard Lionel Messi fan from Kerala, India, fulfilled a lifelong dream on Tuesday after travelling around 15,000 kilometres from Bengaluru to Buenos Aires to watch Messi's final international match for Argentina.

The journey took around 32 hours, with stops in London and New York. Yadil began the trip without a match ticket but refused to give up on his dream of seeing the Argentina icon play his final game in the national colours.

Tickets Sold Out Within Minutes

Tickets for Argentina's match against Benin, Messi's final international appearance, sold out within minutes after going on sale last week.

Yadil was unable to secure a ticket through the online sale for the 85,000-capacity Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Despite that setback, he continued with his journey to Argentina hoping that he would find a way into the stadium.

His determination eventually paid off, and he managed to get hold of a ticket after arriving in the country.

A Special Moment for Football Fans in Kerala

After securing his ticket, Yadil dedicated the opportunity to football fans in Kerala who had also dreamed of watching Messi's final match for Argentina.

The moment was particularly emotional for him as he watched Messi receive a farewell tribute from thousands of supporters inside the stadium.

The Argentina fans filled the venue with Messi chants as the football legend struggled to hold back tears during his farewell speech.

Messi Scores in His Final Argentina Match

Messi, 39, scored from the penalty spot in the 71st minute as Argentina defeated Benin 3-0.

He also contributed two assists during the match, but the evening was primarily about celebrating his remarkable international career rather than individual records.

Messi was surrounded by his 2022 World Cup-winning teammates and family members as he waved to the fans during the emotional farewell.

Messi Had Previously Responded to Yadil

Yadil's connection with Messi became even more special after the football star acknowledged him on social media.

In June, Messi had responded with a “thank you, Yadil” message to a birthday post that the Indian fan had shared on Instagram.

Asheem PK, a Dubai-based Indian expatriate from Kerala, said Yadil had remained a passionate Messi and Argentina supporter despite facing trolling and memes from some people in Kerala.

He added that Messi's response had been a life-changing moment for Yadil and made his journey to Argentina even more meaningful.

Yadil Followed Argentina Throughout the 2022 World Cup

Yadil's dedication to Messi and Argentina dates back several years.

He attended all seven of Argentina's matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where Messi eventually led the team to their third World Cup title.

Before the tournament, Yadil had promised to perform Umrah if Argentina won the World Cup.

Following Argentina's triumph, he travelled to Saudi Arabia to fulfil that promise.

A 15,000km Journey Ends With an Emotional Farewell

Yadil's journey from Bengaluru to Buenos Aires took approximately 32 hours and covered around 15,000 kilometres, including long layovers in London and New York.

After initially travelling without a ticket, his determination eventually allowed him to witness one of the most emotional moments in Argentina's football history.

For Yadil, being inside the Monumental to watch Messi's final Argentina appearance was more than simply attending a football match. It was the culmination of years of following and celebrating his favourite player.