Photos that prove India loves Lionel Messi

When Messi came to Kolkata in 2011

When the little magician himself came to India to play for his country against Venezuela in the first FIFA friendly ever to be played on Indian soil, fans thronged to practise venues to get a glimpse of the superstar in the flesh.

Fans even crowded the airport when the team arrived waiting with Argentina and India flags to welcome their hero.

Miscellaneous Messi Madness

Of the numerous things that many Indians have done, some of these really stand out. Like this massive cutout of the Argentine star towering over everyone, sure created at some personal cost.

Modes of transport were also not left out as a car donned Messi's name and number to show the owner’s love for the player.

That looks like a poster, but look carefully, it’s a bus.

Yet another birthday celebration

Look at the size of that cake! That's how much Indians love the maestro from Argentina, they brought a huge cake and decorated it to look like a pitch for his birthday in 2014.

We're not sure if any foreign player has received adoration like this in India, certainly not a footballer. This by must be something special.