A roar pierced Shillong’s cloud-covered skies on Saturday morning. Beneath the city’s mist-laden hills and under a brooding monsoon canopy, a familiar chant echoed through the streets — “Messi, Messi”.
For a moment, it felt as though football’s grandest stage had arrived in the heart of Meghalaya. But there was no match underway, no stadium floodlights illuminating the drama, instead, the football-crazy capital had transformed itself into a giant pre-match arena as fans organised a bike rally from Golklink Shillong to Malki ground to celebrate Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina.
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway in North America, Shillong has already blown the opening whistle, gripped by anticipation, nostalgia and the hope that the Argentine maestro may script one final masterpiece in what is widely expected to be his last appearance on football’s biggest stage.
With football fever gripping the State, groups of youth in Shillong gradually donned the colours of Argentina as supporters gathered in large numbers for the rally organised by the Messi Fan Club.
Engines roared, Argentine flags fluttered in the wind and chants reverberated through the streets as fans paid tribute to the Argentine captain. At 39, Messi is participating in a record-breaking sixth FIFA World Cup, a feat unmatched in the history of the tournament. Widely expected to be his final appearance on football’s grandest stage, the tournament has added an emotional edge to celebrations among his supporters.
The rally reflected not only admiration for Messi’s achievements on the pitch but also the deep football culture that runs through Meghalaya. For many fans, the World Cup has opened with a compelling subplot — the possibility of one final campaign by a player who has spent nearly two decades rewriting football history. Every chant, every flag and every kilometre covered during the rally carried the hope that Messi’s final World Cup journey could end with yet another unforgettable triumph.
Speaking to media persons, President of the Messi Fan Club Batskhemlang Lyngkhoi said, “The main purpose of this bike rally is because we know that Lionel Messi was will play last World Cup this year. So, in order to honor him the greatest of all time his humbleness, him as a Champion, we as a massive fun club we organised this bike rally as symbolise to show that unity among the club and the youth of India, people of India, because we know that India has Unity in diversity, so we, we want to show that all over the world that India is also with Messi with Argentina.”
The prospect of seeing Messi take the field at a World Cup one last time has stirred emotions among supporters, many of whom gathered not just to celebrate Argentina but to witness what they believe could be the closing chapter of one of football’s greatest stories.
One supporter said, “This time Messi will play his last World Cup and I am very excited to be here.”
Another fan said, “I am really excited, Messi.”
Faith in Argentina’s chances of retaining the crown was equally evident among the supporters.
One fan declared, “Argentina under Messi will surely win world cup.”
As the race for football’s most coveted trophy begins across North America, Shillong’s football faithful have already picked their captain. Amid the swirling clouds, the chants and the fluttering Argentine colours, the city continues to dream of one more magical run from the man who has inspired millions. For these supporters, the final chapter has not yet been written, and until the last whistle sounds, the echoes of “Messi, Messi” will continue to resonate across the hills of Meghalaya.
