Will Argentina win a third World Cup title? Whether they do or not, the people of Rosario are especially excited for hometown hero, Lionel Messi. His face is all over their city, his old house a fan destination. The plain house at 400 Lavelleja Str. has long been a pilgrimage site for tourists and Lionel Messi fans alike. Born here 35 years ago, in the industrial town of Rosario, a three-hour drive north of the capital Buenos Aires, graffiti on one of the walls reads: "From another galaxy, but from my neighborhood." In the week before the World Cup final between Argentina and France, the atmosphere in the neighborhood of Las Heras is even more international than usual. TV teams are here from China and Japan, as are tourists from Colombia, Mexico and France — and Messi's former neighbor, Carlos, who is 65 years old.  Cult following Carlos goes into his house to fetch photos "from the old days." Some show a young Lionel Messi celebrating with friends the evening before he left Rosario. Carlos' family was among them. The following day, Messi flew to Barcelona, where he caused a sensation in Barca's youth academy before embarking on one of the all-time great soccer careers. "We knew he was a big talent. But who'd have thought the boy who played with the street kids on the sports ground would one day become the best soccer player in the world," says Carlos. The people of Lavelleja are following the World Cup tournament with tremendous pride. Nowadays, the corner sports ground where Messi used to play with the neighborhood boys, the spot where he scored his first goals, has become a cult site. Artists have painted scenes from Messi's life on the walls around it. Messi is immortalized, larger than life, on the back wall of his birthplace. "Thank you!!!" the mural says.  In the run-up to the World Cup final, the tension and anticipation is palpable everywhere in Rosario. Everyone is somehow sure that this will be the one. Official Number 10 football shirts have sold out, but black market sellers are doing a roaring trade with cheap copies. "People are in an unprecedented state," says Marta, a saleswoman. "Everyone wants to dress in the national colors once more before the finale."  Good news for Rosario The international interest in Lionel Messi is a blessing for the town. Rosario has recently been in the news on account of an increase in violence and drug-related crime. The murder rate has risen, the local archbishop has called for prayers and peace marches. But now at last there is some positive news. After losing the World Cup final 1-0 to Germany in 2014, the Argentines have had to wait eight years for another chance. They hope this time they will be victorious, and that Messi will crown his career. Rosario is the third largest city in Argentina, the capital of the province of Santa Fe. Its smart new sports museum is already prepared for the great day. The World Cup trophy is displayed between oversized photos of Argentina's former World Cup heroes: Mario Kempes in 1978 and Diego Maradona in 1986. "La Esperanza," it reads. "Hope." Accompanying these is a photo of Argentinian winger Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi. Eighteen months ago, these two played a major role in Argentina's first Copa America victory since 1993, in the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro against their arch-rival, Brazil. The museum also recalls Rosario's important role in the history of Argentine soccer. The current national coach Lionel Scaloni was born here, as was the legendary 1978 World Cup coach, Cesar Luis Menotti. The list of prominent soccer players and trainers Rosario has produced really is impressive. Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara, who helped to liberate Cuba from the Batista dictatorship, before he too resorted to authoritarian means, was also originally from Rosario. City's most famous son However, none of those individuals is as visible in this city as Lionel Messi. In his former school, a mural decorates a wall that overlooks the schoolyard. His soccer shirt hangs in tower block windows. In the city's soccer academies, all the children wear the number 10 shirt.   People here love him for his exceptional playing ability but also because he maintains a close connection with his hometown. Messi always comes back here to celebrate Christmas with family and friends.  "The whole city is rooting for Messi," says Carlos, Messi's former neighbor. "I'm glad for him, because despite his great success he's always kept his feet on the ground, never caused any scandals. Quite simply, he's a good kid."

Prominent poet Al Mahmud will be buried at his hometown in Brahmanbaria on Sunday, said family sources. Earlier, people from all walks of life thronged the Bangla Academy premises Saturday noon to pay their last tributes to prominent poet Al Mahmud.  His first Namaj-e-janaza  was held at Jatiya Press Club premises and then the  body was kept at Nazrul Mancha  of the Bangla Academy for sometime from 11:45 am so that people can pay their last tributes. Later, the second namaj-e-janaza of the poet was held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital after Zohr prayers. After the second namaj-e-janaza, his body will be taken to his residence at Moghbazar in the city and then it will be taken to Brahmanbaria where he will be laid to eternal rest. Poet Al Mahmud passed away at a city hospital on Friday night. He was 82. The poet breathed his last at 11:05 pm on Friday at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of IbnSina Hospital in the city’s Dhanmondi area. He was hospitalized under the supervision of Dr Abdul Hye due to illness on February 9. He had been suffering from multiple old-age complications since long.  Mir Abdus Shukur Al Mahmud, best known as Al Mahmud, is a Bangladeshi poet, novelist, and short-story writer. He is considered one of the greatest Bengali poets to have emerged in the 20th century. His work in Bengali poetry is dominated by his frequent use of regional dialects. In the 1950s he was among those Bengali poets who were outspoken in their writing on such subjects as the events of the Bengali Language Movement, nationalism, political and economic repression, and the struggle against the West Pakistani government. He was born in Morail Village of Brahmanbaria District in Bangladesh in 1936. His childhood and secondary education days were spent in this village which is located adjacent to Brahmanbaria town. Mahmud started his career as a journalist and obtained widespread recognition after Lok Lokantor was published in 1963. Al Mahmud was honored with Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, and Kabi Jasim Uddin Award in recognition of his contribution to bengali literature. Source: UNB AH