MAM
Mumbai Indians ‘DilKholKe welcome nine IPL franchises
Mumbai: Ahead of the much anticipated first match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) set to be played on 26 March here, the Reliance Industries-owned franchise Mumbai Indians has gone all out to welcome the fellow nine franchises to its home city.
The #WelcomeDilKholKe billboards, customised to each of the visiting teams, have been set up across key locations in the city and uses a creative rendition to bring alive the spirit of sports, excitement and affection.
The campaign celebrates the spirit of Mumbai, the camaraderie of the teams and showcases their passion for sports. A dash of yellow to ‘Welcome Chennai Super Kings – Whistle Podu Dil Khol Ke,’ while Kolkata Knight Riders are welcomed to the city with their iconic ‘Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo Dil Khol Ke’ slogan.
These warm heartfelt messages are greeting players, officials and the fans of each of these franchises representing different parts of the country as they set base across Mumbai for the IPL 2022. There is anticipation in the air, as fans, too, look forward to returning with fervour into the stadium to support their teams.
“The billboards installed across the city capture the creative expressions of the spirit of Mumbai – the city of dreams which welcomes every individual to its land of opportunity,” Mumbai Indians spokesperson said. “We, Mumbai Indians are a reflection of the city, its ethos and this campaign is a tribute to the warmth of the people of Mumbai in welcoming all the franchises of our IPL family.”
“With IPL back in India and Mumbai, Mumbai Indians look forward to welcoming its loyal blue & gold Paltan back to the stadiums. We take pride in having one of the most passionate fan army – the Paltan who have backed the team for a decade and more with their unrelenting energy and enthusiasm.”
The fifteenth edition of the T20 League is set to be played across Mumbai and Pune. Mumbai Indians will start their campaign against Delhi Capitals at Brabourne Stadium on 27 March.
MAM
Lego brings Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappé, Vinicius together
Campaign clocks 314 million views ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 buzz.
MUMBAI: Four legends, one frame and not a single tackle in sight. Lego has pulled off a crossover few thought possible, uniting Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior in a single campaign ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 only this time, they’re building dreams brick by brick.
Titled “Everyone wants a piece”, the campaign features the quartet assembling a Lego version of the World Cup trophy, before placing miniature versions of themselves atop it, a playful nod to football’s ultimate prize. Shared widely across social media, the ad carries a pointed disclaimer: it is not AI-generated, a subtle but telling signal in an era where even reality is often questioned.
The numbers tell their own story. The campaign has already crossed 314 million views on Instagram across the players’ accounts, with fans hailing it as a rare, almost nostalgic moment particularly for the reunion of Messi and Ronaldo, whose last shared campaign ahead of the 2022 World Cup became one of the platform’s most-liked posts.
Beyond the film, Lego is extending the play with exclusive, player-themed sets tied to each of the four stars, part of a broader football-led programme designed to ride the global momentum building towards 2026. The idea, as echoed by the players themselves, leans into the parallels between football and play experimentation, creativity, failure, and triumph.
Messi described the sets as a way to bring on-pitch moments into an imaginative, hands-on world, while Ronaldo called the transformation into a Lego figure a rare honour, blending sport with storytelling. Vinícius, meanwhile, struck a more personal note, recalling childhood moments of building with Lego and framing creativity as a universal language that transcends borders.
The timing is no accident. With the 2026 World Cup set to run from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and featuring an expanded 48-team format, global anticipation is already building. Argentina, led by Messi, will enter as defending champions, adding another layer of intrigue.
For Lego, the campaign does more than celebrate football, it taps into its mythology. Because when icons become figurines and rivalries turn into play, the beautiful game finds a new kind of pitch. one built, quite literally, by hand.
