World Cup fever is sweeping through a tiny village in the Indian state of Kerala where global superstars such as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo truly are larger than life.
Thousands of kilometres from the drama in Doha, Pullavoor village comes alive with cheers inside a tent near huge illuminated cutouts of some of the sport's biggest names.
This land of the football giants emerged several weeks ago when cheering Argentina fans, waving blue and white flags, proudly carried a vast cardboard cut-out of their hero Messi.
Wading through chest-deep water, they used ropes and levers to set up the nine-metre high frame on a sliver of land mid-river.
We can’t see the real Messi so we have a big Messi here
Nousheer Nellikkode,
Argentina fan
A few days later, a rival fan club took on the challenge and built a 12-metre cut-out of Brazilian striker Neymar on the river bank.
Not to be outdone, the villagers then helped Portugal fans build a 15-metre frame of Cristiano Ronaldo.
News of this most unlikely of football fan zones has spread far and wide, with tens of thousands of football enthusiasts travelling to the village to take selfies with the four-storey- high creation as they stand on a bridge that straddles the Cherupuzha river.
Celebrating the beautiful game
The three large wooden frames have been lit up so fans from neighbouring villages and towns can enjoy the spectacle late into the night.
Nousheer Nellikkode said he and a friend had been quietly planning the homage to Messi for six months but kept his friends and brothers who support rival teams in the dark.
“Even my wife did not know, it was a secret plan and took everyone by surprise,” said the 35-year-old who owns a sports shop in the village and previously worked in Dubai. Many residents have left the village, dotted with rice and banana fields, to work in the UAE and Qatar.
“We love Messi too much, this is for him and Argentina,” he said. “Messi really needs a World Cup win.
“He inspires us, we love the Latin American style and have always been Argentina fans.”
The Kerala native made a 50-metre long Argentina flag for the 2018 World Cup and decided on the cut-out to surpass the earlier effort.
The river was selected as the ideal spot for the gigantic portraits as it borders the ground in which the football enthusiasts play.
A large screen has been set up with more than 500 fans gathering daily for every World Cup game.
Football on the rise
India has a reputation for being cricket crazy but football is the most popular sport in several states, including Kerala.
“In this area it’s only football. I played football with my father and came to this ground since I was two years old and now my daughters also play,” Mr Nellikkode said.
“I would have liked to be in Qatar. We can’t see the real Messi so we have a big Messi here.
Argentina's World Cup hopes got off to a bumpy start on Tuesday, as Saudi Arabia secured a shock 2-1 win in their opening Group C match.
“It’s really a heartbreaking time,” Mr Nellikkode said. “I’m very sad now. But I still believe we will win. Today we were just unlucky.”
It is an extra special World Cup for the Kerala locals as most people share the excitement in Qatar as they watch videos posted by friends and family from the games.
“This is first World Cup that most Keralites will be watching live,” said Muhammad Ali, a civil engineer and the long-time Brazil fan who put up the Neymar cut-out.
“My friends and classmates in Qatar are lucky. They will not bother about work or how much it costs for tickets, their only wish is to watch the World Cup.”
Smaller images of World Cup trophies to signify wins — five for Brazil and two for Argentina — have been secured with ropes in front of the football stars' images.
The three enormous cutouts have even caught the attention of Fifa officials, who tweeted a photograph portraying “World Cup fever” in Kerala.
The frames have also drawn criticism, however. One Pullavoor resident petitioned civic authorities to demand the removal of the images, claiming they have obstructed the flow of the water and polluted the river.
But state authorities rejected the plea, standing by the fans with a tweet on how football gives joy and “unites people across countries and languages”.
Fans in many Kerala villages and towns have painted their homes with “home team” colours and decorated walls with the flags of Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, England and Germany.
“Every village has football fever, outside some homes I even saw flags of Japan,” said Mr Ali.
“We watch every match — Premier and Champions League, every club and national game.
“We celebrate every World Cup. This time it’s in the Middle East so it feels closer. Everyone can watch easily because it’s the same time zone.”
Free chicken for Argentina triumph
A restaurant owner from Kondungallur, a neighbouring town has promised a specially prepared biryani for all if Argentina are crowned world champions.
'Kuzhimanthi' is the Malayalam word for the southern Indian twist to a popular Arab rice and chicken dish slow-cooked in an underground clay pit.
Yadil Iqbal distributed the dish to 360 people last year as he rejoiced when Argentina ended a drought to beat Brazil and win the Copa America, their first major title in 28 years.
The superfan is now in Qatar to watch his idol play after decorating the outer walls of his restaurant with Messi art and propping up 15 large cutouts as World Cup decor.
“It’s like a drug for me to watch Messi,” said the 26-year-old, on his first trip outside India.
“When Messi scores a goal, it gives me energy and happiness.
“After Copa, I gave the mandi [special biryani] free, now I have announced the offer again because I know Argentina will win.
“It is a dream of each and every football fan to watch the World Cup live and mine has come true.”
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
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if you go
The flights
Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.
The hotel
Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.
The tour
Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
