FIFA pays tribute to Shaheen Shah Afridi in Instagram post

WEB DESK: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) paid tribute to Shaheen Shah Afridi on Tuesday with a social media post that featured iconic players who don the number 10.

In a post made on the FIFA World Cup’s official Instagram account, the jerseys of Afridi, Lionel Messi, Luka Modric, and Neymar Jr can be seen together, with the caption “The Iconic”. The 25-year-old fast bowler is in elite company of world class footballers who wear the number 10.

Afridi’s inclusion has led to speculation online that the post is part of a campaign to increase fan engagement ahead of the 2026 world cup. Media reports claim that digital teams are creating tailored social media campaigns in multiple countries to increase fan engagement.

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Afridi’s inclusion in the post not only signifies a crossover of sporting fanbases, but also his rise in the sports world, now being a globally recognised athlete.

Recently, Afridi saw success in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as he led the Lahore Qalandars to their third title, solidifying his place as the most successful captain in PSL history. He had already previously won the tournament while captaining the Qalandars in 2022 and 2023.

Afridi is currently ranked 12th in the ODI format, 23rd in the test format, and 31st in the shortest format, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC) bowling rankings.

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