The display is more than a supporter tribute. The report says the project took almost a month to organise, with the final installation requiring three days of work. Younger residents handled tasks including metalwork and cutting, while older members helped raise the structure.
That division of labour gives the ritual its staying power. In a village where football loyalties stretch across Argentina, Brazil and other nations, the cutouts have become a recurring part of the World Cup build-up. Each tournament brings a new group of young people willing to take responsibility for the spectacle.
Chellanam’s connection with Messi reportedly dates back to 2018, when the Argentina Fans Chellanam group created a larger 35-foot image. A video from that celebration later drew attention from Messi’s team, and the supporters received a signed football.
The latest installation also carries a more personal meaning. Part of the work was reportedly completed on land where one young resident’s home had been lost to the sea. Chellanam faces flooding and coastal erosion, making the cutout a symbol of resilience as much as football devotion.
That symbolism extends to the wider debate around Messi’s international future. The coming World Cup could be among the final major tournaments for Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, although their participation and roles remain matters for the future.
For Chellanam, the next milestone is simple: seeing the cutout stand as the village follows the World Cup. Whatever happens on the pitch, the tradition appears set to continue long after the tournament ends.