Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo feature on 'Beedi' packet; pictures leave netizens in splits

Argentina football star Lionel Messi and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo have been featured, obviously unknowingly, on 'beedi' packets. While Messi's side Argentina won Copa America, Ronaldo bagged Golden Boot at Euro 2020.

The greatest footballers of all time, Messi and Ronaldo have a number of lucrative brand endorsements to their names. However, their Indian fans were left surprised seeing pictures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on a local beedi (a form of cigarette) brand.

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Messi and Ronaldo are both global football icons with their fans across the globe. Both of them are among the richest sportspersons in the world. However, their fans had not expected to see Messi and Ronaldo's picture on a local beedi brand.

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As soon as the picture emerged on social media for the first time, it went viral among their desi fans.

The packet reads 'Messi Biri' with a picture of Messi smiling. It is made at Arif Bidi Factory in Dhuliyan in West Bengal. Likewise, Cristiano Ronaldo had also featured on the packet of a beedi which was said to be manufactured from West Bengal.

Messi endorses the top brands including the likes of, Adidas, Anheuser Busch InBev, Gatorade, Hard Rock Cafe Inc., Jacob & Co, Ooredoo, and Pepsi.

A fan wrote: "I hope Messi's agents don't see this and claim royalty from the Bidi company. BTW, this must be a hugely popular brand in Bengal."

-PTC News