NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday received a jersey signed by Argentinian football player Lionel Messi.
Taking to X, Banerjee said, “Football is a passion that runs through my veins, much like every person in Bengal who has ever kicked a ball on the ‘para’ fields. Today, that passion found a special place as I received a jersey signed by none other than Lionel Messi.”
She described Messi as an “artist with the ball” and a “maestro of our times,” adding that the jersey represents the “unbreakable connection between Bengal and the beautiful game.”
This is not the first time a global football icon has acknowledged Bengal’s passion for the game. In October 2023, Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho visited Mamata Banerjee at her residence in Kalighat during his two-day trip to Kolkata. His visit saw officials from Bengal’s top three clubs—Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan SC—presenting him with their respective jerseys.
Football holds a special place in Bengal’s sporting culture, with fierce rivalries between clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan SC. The love for the sport has been evident in the state’s enthusiasm for both domestic and international football events.
Furthermore, in September 2023, during a visit to Spain, Banerjee met with La Liga President Javier Tebas, leading to an agreement to establish a football academy in West Bengal.
