While the FIFA World Cup is still underway and the 2026 champion has yet to be decided, Nepali Times reporter Vishad Raj Onta observes that “Messimania” has already gripped Nepal’s Argentina supporters. Across the country, fans have organized traditional poojas in Jhapa, schoolchildren have marched in rallies wearing Messi’s iconic No. 10 jersey, and streets are awash with Messi merchandise.

Below are key highlights from the article:

• Deep roots, not just Messi. Onta reports that Nepali admiration for Argentina predates Messi, tracing back to Diego Maradona‘s humble beginnings, swagger, and even his resemblance to Nepalis. The fascination may also reflect a shared underdog identity. Long-time fan Aryan Tamrakar, watching from Cleveland, tells Onta: “I support Messi because he isn’t the flashiest, the tallest, the loudest or the most muscular and yet he has stapled himself as the greatest athlete in the world. This is not just because of all his statistics. It’s because he does things that the score can barely capture.”
• Fan culture and emotional stakes. Onta describes a Jhamsikhel restaurant erupting in cheers during the Austria match, packed with fans in blue-and-white jerseys. Rishav Rupakheti, a Messi follower since 2010, tells Onta every tournament felt like heartbreak until 2022: “It has been quite the roller coaster.” Onta also reports a viral puja held in Jhapa for Argentina’s success and a schoolchildren’s rally in Dolakha.
• The case for GOAT, in numbers and in person. Onta writes that Messi’s fifth goal against Austria, capping a sequence of dribbles, a blocked shot, and a sliding finish, made him the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 18 goals. Statistically, Messi produces 1.45 goals or assists per 90 minutes, six standard deviations above the average top-flight attacker. Yet he stayed modest afterward: “It’s an honour to be up there, but in the end, it’s just a statistic and doesn’t mean anything.”
• A divided audience. Onta notes the devotion has split opinion online, with some calling the school rallies a “height of nonsense” while others simply enjoy the spectacle.
• What’s next. Onta reports Argentina has already topped Group J and faces Jordan on June 28, with Messi likely to see limited minutes or rest as coach Lionel Scaloni manages his fitness for the knockouts.

Whatever the World Cup’s eventual outcome, Onta’s reporting suggests Messimania in Nepal isn’t tied to any single match, but to two decades of loyalty that found its release in 2022 and shows no sign of fading now.

Acknowledgement: This summary was generated using AI writing tools as part of my experimental learning process. For more information, check out the original article listed below.

Related Resource Link

• It’s a Messi situation in Nepal | Nepali Times