Maradona to Messi: Why Bangladesh loves Argentina's footballers

Maradona to Messi: why Bangladesh loves Argentina’s footballers highlights how Argentina’s World Cup success became a long-running cultural phenomenon in Bangladesh despite the country never qualifying for the FIFA tournament. In Dhaka, fans gathered around giant screens as Lionel Messi completed a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening World Cup match against Algeria, chanting “Argentina” and “Messi” with thousands of supporters. The article traces the fandom’s roots to 1986, when Diego Maradona led Argentina to the title, sparking devotion that spread through neighborhoods and campuses with watch parties every four years. Abdul Hai, a 50-year-old supporter, credits the 1986 tournament, while former Bangladesh coach and player Shafiqul Islam Manik links the rise to Argentina’s shock victory over England after the Falklands War. He also says Argentina’s bond strengthened after the emotional 1990 loss when Maradona cried after the final.