JAKARTA - A young Argentine fan from Kerala, India who was recorded on a crying video after a surprising defeat to his favorite team at the 2022 World Cup Qatar from Saudi Arabia, flew to Qatar to see his hero in action against the Netherlands thanks to a travel agent in Dubai.
The recording of Muhammad Nibras, the eldest son of former resident of Dubai Noufaland and his wife Khadeeja, went viral after he predicted Lionel Messi and Argentina would bounce back from the 2-1 defeat in their group opener on November 22.
"There are more games. We will win. Messi will score hat-tricks," the eighth grader said in the video, holding back tears, as friends and neighbors mocked him for the defeat of his favorite team.
Tim Amerika Selatan, salah satu favoritan Piala Dunia tahun ini, pulih seperti yang diprediksi Nibras, dengan kemenangan di masing-masing dari tiga pertandingan berikutnya.
After defeating Poland and Mexico to top Group C, Argentina successfully eliminated Australia in Babak 16 with a score of 2-1. This led Argentina to qualify for the Big 8 against the Netherlands.
Touched by the young man's story, Afi Ahmed, an expatriate from Kerala who is Dubai-based director of Smart Travel which has branches in the UAE and India, flew the Argentine fan to Qatar to see Lionel Messi and his team-mates in action in the quarter-finals on Friday night.
The company also hopes to arrange for him to meet the Argentine star in person.
The young fan landed in Dubai on Tuesday to stay with relatives, before flying to Qatar on Thursday.
"I was very sad when Argentina lost in the first game, it also fought Saudi Arabia," the 14-year-old from Kasaragod District in Kerala told The National.
"It's hard not to cry," he exclaimed.
Nibras, who missed his test to fly to Qatar, said he cried happily when travel agents contacted him with the offer, after his friends and neighbors, many supported Brazil, mocked him tirelessly when Argentina lost.
"My parents let me go, saying that this is an opportunity once in a lifetime," he said.
"The test is coming again. And those who make fun of me now treat me like a star," he said.
While Messi hasn't made a hat-trick yet, he has scored three goals in the tournament to date. Nibras hopes to see the Argentine star, playing in his final World Cup final, adding to his goal on Friday night.
"My father and uncle are also big Argentine fans. I can't wait to see Messi play. I love him so much. I want to see them lift the World Cup and I will be there to cheer," he hoped.
Ahmed, who funded the trip, said he was impressed by the fighting spirit of the boy.
"One of my staff members from Kerala showed the video and I was touched," said Ahmed, father of four.
"He is a true fan and I want to make this World Cup special for him," he said.
"Nibras will fly to Qatar with one of my staff members and we will take care of everything. Parents have entrusted me with the boy."
"We even want him to meet with Messi and the other Argentine players whenever possible," he said.
Most recently, Nibras could be happy, when Argentina successfully beat the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties, after a 2-2 draw for 120 minutes. Messi also scored through the spot in the 73rd minute.
In the penalty shootout, Messi, Argentina's first executor, managed to outwit the opposing goalkeeper and score.
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