Argentina in West Bengal: Messi fan paints his building white and blue

Argentina and Brazil are the two most supported nations for the World Cup in India and West Bengal famously gets divided into white & blue and yellow & green during the world’s biggest sporting event. Shib Shankar Patra, the owner of a tea stall, belongs to West Bengal’s Argentina pack and is not at all shy to show it off. A die-hard Argentina and Lionel Messi fan, Patra saved up Rs 60,000 as he dreamt of watching his favourite team live from the stands in Russia. However, a Kolkata-based travel agent informed him that his savings will not be enough to fund his trip and so, instead of getting disappointed and sulking, Patra decided to show his love by painting his entire three-storied building in Argentina colours. “I don’t smoke or drink. I have only one addiction and that is Lionel Messi and Argentina. I don’t earn much but ensure that bulk of my earnings is kept aside for these indulgences when World Cup comes calling,” Patra, owner of a tea and snack stall in North 24 Parganas’ Nawabganj township, told PTI.