West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently received a special jersey signed by Argentine football legend Lionel Messi. She described Messi as an “artist with the ball” and said the jersey reflects Bengal’s deep love for football.
Banerjee expressed her thrill at having received the jersey, terming it a sign of Bengal’s deep affinity towards football.
“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 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.
The love for football binds us all, and… pic.twitter.com/ykWGarhAfG
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 19, 2025
The Chief Minister pointed out how football is a uniting force for people in Bengal. “The love for football binds us all, and Messi, an artist with the ball, a maestro of our times, embodies the spirit of brilliance that Bengal admires. This jersey is a symbol of the unbreakable connection between Bengal and the beautiful game,” Banerjee added.
Football has long been a part of Bengal’s culture, with passionate fans following the sport closely. Receiving a jersey from one of the world’s greatest players reinforces Bengal’s deep-rooted love for the game.
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