The report says shoppers have been seeking shirts carrying Messi’s name or his familiar LM10 mark, from official retailers to popular-market stalls. One official store at South City Mall was reportedly left without stock, while Argentina shirts had already sold out at some outlets before the final.
That shortage is more than a retail story. Messi’s appeal in India continues to stretch beyond club loyalties and national-team results. For many supporters, an Argentina shirt represents a connection to one of football’s defining careers - and possibly a final chance to see him at a World Cup.
Spain has also attracted attention, particularly through Yamal’s rise as one of the sport’s most exciting young players. Retailers reportedly recorded healthy interest in his shirts, but the demand remains some distance behind Messi’s.
The contrast is striking: Yamal’s popularity is built on anticipation, while Messi’s is rooted in years of iconic performances, trophies and emotional investment. One is the emerging face of international football; the other is already a global sporting symbol.
Supporters have reportedly searched for both Argentina’s traditional and alternative shirts, with some accepting higher prices when official stock disappeared. Saptak Bhattacharya described wearing Messi’s shirt in a final as especially meaningful because it could be the player’s last World Cup.
The next storyline arrives when Argentina walk out for the final. Whatever happens on the pitch, Kolkata’s shirt market has already delivered its verdict: Messi’s name still commands extraordinary power, while Yamal’s era is only beginning.