Messi fan from state does Dubai-Russia trip on cycle
ALAPPUZHA: A youth from Cherthala went to Moscow to watch the Fifa World Cup on a bicycle, scripting a new chapter in the football frenzy. Clifin Francis, 28, a native of Thuravoor in Alappuzha, reached Russia and will watch matches in Moscow.
Clifin reached the border of Russia on June 5 and he needs to travel more than 600 km to reach Moscow.
His aim is to watch football and get an autograph of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi on his bicycle.
Clifin, the only child of late Rosely and the late Francis, is a BTech holder and worked as a mathematics teacher in Kochi. He resigned from his job to fulfil his football passion.
“Whenever he comes to our home at Thuravoor from Kochi, he used to come on a bicycle. Clifin, is a wonder for his friends and relatives from his schools days,” said Abhijith, a friend of Clifin.
“He set out his to Russia on February 23 with the money he collected from his job. The longest trip before his Russian jaunt was the cycle trip to Kanyakumari,” said Abhijith.
“He went to Dubai from Kerala by flight and from there he bought a cycle and started pedalling to Russia. He had travelled through UAE, Iran and Azerbaijan to reach Russia,” he added.