Argentina’s Messi World Cup magic in Pakistan

• Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 in the semi-final on a huge screen in Lyari.
• Residents painted life-size paintings of their favourite players, hung flags and bunting, and tracked progress on wall brackets.
• Lyari is known for producing footballers, boxers, and socially aware rappers.

Thousands of Pakistanis in a Karachi neighbourhood known for gang violence and poverty will cheer on Argentina on Sunday. Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 in the semi-final on a huge screen in Lyari early Wednesday.

Some fans in Argentina shirts sang and danced when the South Americans qualified for the final in Qatar. Skylights exploded.

Tahir Khan, a 40-year-old football coach, said Argentine World Cup stars motivate the youth.

Neymar, Messi’s PSG teammate, is also a favourite.

“Most of the youth are inspired by them,”  Even during Eid, they wear jerseys.

Residents painted life-size paintings of their favourite players, hung flags and bunting, and tracked progress on wall brackets.

Argentina and Brazil are admired for more than their football skills.

“I see most of the youth wearing Messi or Neymar jerseys. Even at Eid they wear their jerseys… instead of traditional dress,” Khan added, “The Latin American countries are not as (developed) as the European countries but their players are acknowledged all over the world.”

Or Morocco?

In a battle for Lyari years ago, gangs employed rocket-propelled grenades and assault guns, closing schools and businesses.

Violence has subsided, and increased security has sparked innovation.

The area is known for producing footballers, boxers, and socially aware rappers.

Adopted Argentina and Brazil fan’s banter.

Shahid Saleem, 45, said, “We relate to the Brazilians’ (skin) colour and style, that is why we like Brazil the most,”
“My own favourite team is Argentina but my two sons are staunch supporters of Brazil. Quarrels between father and sons is a daily routine.”

Lyari must decide whether to back Argentina or Morocco if the underdogs beat France to reach Sunday’s final.

Morocco would be the first Muslim nation to reach a World Cup final, delighting Pakistani fans.

“Earlier we supported Brazil but they were knocked out of the tournament so now we are supporting Marrakesh (Morocco) as it is a Muslim country,” Abdul Ghafoor, a 20-year-old labourer and football lover, said he now supports Morocco since it’s a Muslim country.

Saleem described many people’s situations.

“The prayers of all of Lyari are with Morocco and hopefully they will would make it to the final,” he stated.

I’m an Argentina fan, therefore I’ll pray for them.

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