Sawt Falasteen - They support Argentina at the World Cup, but are not Argentine

Sabid Ahamed is so excited about seeing Messi in the flesh that he's hanging out at the Texas stadium hosting Argentina's final group game even though it is a week away and his hero is nowhere to be seen.

Wearing Argentina's blue-and-white shirt, the 32-year-old has his wife Rahima with him and is holding his baby son.

Little Naraiz, seven months old, is also squeezed into an Argentina jersey.

Ahamed is from Bangladesh -- one of many fans who support Argentina but come from another country.

AFP met others from all over the globe, including India, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and China.

"I'm very excited to see Messi," said Ahamed, currently doing a PhD in the United States.

"Since the World Cup in 2010 I was a big fan of Argentina, so I watched the matches on television, but it was my dream to watch them live, and this will be the first time so I am very excited."

Ahamed said his love affair with his adopted team traces back to his father, who supported Argentina because of Diego Maradona.

Ahamed paid $900 to see the world champions' final group match on Saturday against Jordan.

He was at the home of the Dallas Cowboys a week out from the game, taking pictures from outside some steel gates.

What does Rahima make of her husband shelling out that kind of money?

"I also support Messi," she said.

So if Bangladesh, which is far better at cricket than football, played Argentina who would he want to win?

"In that case I'd definitely support Bangladesh," he said.

- Diehard -

Also wearing an Argentina shirt with "Messi" on the back is Baban Banerjee from India.

"I'm a diehard fan of his," said the 42-year-old, queueing for food a couple of hours before the Jordan match.

"I thought this is my last chance to see him because this is going to be his last World Cup, so I had to watch it."

He paid $700 for his ticket and like Ahamed would cheer on the country of his birth if they ever faced Argentina -- "but I would not mind if Messi scored a couple of goals against India".

The bad news for Banerjee and others who had paid hundreds or even thousands of dollars was that Messi started on the bench, with Argentina already qualified for the next stage.

Banerjee was not overly upset, as long as he got to see the 39-year-old legend at some point.

"I would not mind if he came on after 50 or 55 minutes, but I would really like it if he scored some goals," said Banerjee.

He was in luck, and Messi did just that -- coming off the bench after an hour and scoring with a free-kick in a 3-1 win.

- 'A bit crazy' -

Also hoping to see Messi do his thing were a Chinese family, all wearing Argentina shirts.

"We've loved Argentina for more than 30 years," said Du, who would only give his family name.

"Because the first game I watched was Maradona in 1983."

He said he did not have to worry about who to choose if China faced Argentina.

"I don't think it will happen at the World Cup," he said, China having only made it to football's biggest stage once, in 2002, when they failed to win a match or score a goal.

Mercedes flew from Santo Domingo, capital of the Dominican Republic, along with her teenage granddaughter.

The 59-year-old was wearing an Argentina shirt, but was adamant on one point.

"I follow Messi, not Argentina," she said.

"Yes, I know it's a bit crazy."

Z.Ramadan--SF-PST