A-list Star Arjun Bijlani on Cheering for Messi with Son Ayaan
Actor Arjun Bijlani, who recently wrapped up Laughter Chefs and is gearing up for his upcoming Netflix project Chumbak, has discovered a new passion through his son, Ayaan. While cricket was his favourite sport growing up, football has gradually become an important part of his life, thanks to the special moments he now shares with his son.
Speaking about how football entered his world, Arjun revealed that he never actively followed the sport during his younger days. It was only after Ayaan developed an interest in football and began regular coaching that the game became a cherished part of their daily lives.
"Football became a big part of my life after my son Ayaan was born. He plays regularly and even attends football coaching, so now it's something we enjoy together. It's become our father-son bonding time. We watch the matches together and enjoy supporting our teams," Arjun shared.
Although the father and son are united by their love for football, they find themselves on opposite sides when it comes to their favourite players. Arjun proudly supports Argentine legend Lionel Messi, while Ayaan is an ardent admirer of Cristiano Ronaldo, creating friendly debates at home whenever the two football icons are compared.
"I'm a Lionel Messi fan, while Ayaan is a hardcore Cristiano Ronaldo fan, so there's always fun banter at home. He is really passionate about football," he said with a smile.
Discussing international football, Arjun shared that he closely follows the FIFA World Cup and particularly enjoys the unpredictability that defines the tournament. According to him, while traditional football powerhouses continue to impress, the competition regularly produces unexpected results that keep fans engaged until the very end.
"I've been following the World Cup closely. The knockout stage is where the real excitement begins. Argentina, Brazil, Spain and France are among the strongest contenders, but we've already seen some surprising results. That's what makes football so exciting because you can never really predict what's going to happen," he said.
When asked which team he always supports, Arjun didn't hesitate.
"Being a Messi fan, it's an easy choice—I support Argentina," he said.
Like many passionate football enthusiasts, Arjun also has a special match-day ritual that adds to the excitement of watching Argentina play. While he doesn't consider it a superstition, he admits there are certain traditions he follows without fail.
"I wouldn't call it a superstition, but whenever Argentina plays a big match, I make sure to wear my Messi jersey. I'm also quite an expressive viewer. I celebrate every goal and often find myself shouting instructions at the TV as if the players can actually hear me," he laughed.
Balancing late-night football matches with a demanding shooting schedule can be challenging, but Arjun says he happily sacrifices sleep whenever an important game is on. A cup of strong coffee the next morning is enough to keep him going through a busy workday.
"With the matches stretching late into the night, sleep definitely takes a back seat during the World Cup. If it's a big match, I'm watching it. A strong coffee the next morning gets me through the day," he shared.
For Arjun Bijlani, football has evolved into much more than a sport. It has become a meaningful father-son tradition, creating lasting memories with Ayaan while celebrating their shared love for the beautiful game—even if they continue to cheer for different football legends.
