Sabina Khatun is like Lionel Messi of Bangladesh women's football.
The story of female football in this country is not very long.
It started gaining momentum in the past decade.
During this time, the most popular female football personality has been Sabina, who has incredible goal records for clubs and country.
The scoring rate per game is even higher than the Argentine great.
She also plays at the same position as Messi, No 10, always creating chances for her teammates.
Both are also captain, the oldest and most experienced member of their respective national team.
When the similarities were shared with Sabina, who was in a hurry leaving the stadium after playing a Women's Premier League match Saturday evening, she immediately discouraged the idea.
“I absolutely don't want to compare. But as a fan, as it is his last World Cup, I just want him to have the last laugh,” she said.
Also Read: What Messi means to Bangladesh
The age gap is however, six years as Sabina has a lot more time ahead of her to lead her teams.
Sabina had known Messi's name long before she started admiring him in 2014 when she began supporting Argentina as well.
“I got emotional when they lost the 2014 final,” she told Dhaka Tribune before adding, “But I'm not a mad fan like many in this country. I respect him as a person. Of course, I follow him. His leadership also inspired me.”
She also said it was not any of the five goals Messi scored in Qatar that impressed her most but the assist he provided for Julian Alvarez to score the third goal against Croatia in the semi-final.
Maria Manda, 19, has been the best midfielder of the country's different youth teams, and the senior side, for quite some time.
She is also a big Messi fan and couldn't hide her deep emotions.
“Before 2011, when I used to stay in my village, I did not hear about Argentina but only Messi, Messi. Then I started playing and watching Messi's games. I became his fan,” said Maria.
When asked if the feeling for Messi is something like love, she burst out in laughter and replied shyly, “Yes, it's like the love for football. I love the way he played, his rapid dribbling skills, and whenever he takes the ball forward, he either scores or creates a chance.
“I want to meet him. I will feel more than blessed if it happens.”