FIFA wishes Malayalees on Vishu, posts AI-generated picture of Messi alongside traditional Vishu Kani

Vishu appeared to have gone global on Wednesday (April 15, 2026).

International Association of Football Federation (FIFA) World Cup’s official Instagram account, in a nod to Kerala’s endearing love for football, surprised Malayalees celebrating the first day of the Malayalam annual calendar by posting an AI-generated image of soccer legend, Lionel Messi, celebrating a goal with a platter of “Vishu Kani” in the foreground.