Dr. Rajeev gets autograph of the King of Football, shares his experience with legend Messi

ABU DHABI: The kick off to the World Cup Football is only hours ago. Thousands from Kerala are flocking to Qatar to see the match. Keralites from other Gulf countries are also reaching Qatar to witness football’s greatest event.

Malayalees are really fond of the game and out most favorite teams are primarily Brazil and Argentina. Though we are fans of Germany, Belgium, France, England, Croatia, Portugal, and France most of our sympathies are shared between Brazil and Argentina.

The players of these teams are close to the heart of every fans. Most of us dream to get a glimpse of our favorite player. However, Rajesh Philip and Dr. Rajeev Mankottil are luckier than all of us ardent fans.

The duo not only got the chance to meet the God of Football, Lionel Messi, but also got a jersey signed by him. Dr. Rajeev and Rajesh Philip saw Messi, while the Argentinian team was getting ready to go to Qatar from Abu Dhabi. They met Messi at the high security area where he and team officials were meeting.

Dr. Rajeev and Rajesh Philip told Messi about the football fever of Kerala. They had a jersey of Argentina in hand to have Messi’s autograph. They said Lionel Messi signed their jersey.

Earlier, Dr. Rajeev and Rajesh Philip had met Messi when he was playing for Barcelona. They had got the chance to meet him at his home and office. Dr. Rajeev recalls that he had also got a chance to see a match on the family ticket of Messi himself.

Rajesh Philip is doing business in Dubai while Dr. Rajeev is a consultant.