Eating and sleeping outdoors just to… see my idol.

There are many ways to express love for football, including some crazy ones. Lucas Villarroel, 26, embarked on a 45-day journey from the town of Trelew, Chubut province, in southern Argentina to Doha (Qatar) with one sole purpose: to meet Lionel Messi. Naturally, this wasn't an expensive trip for a wealthy fan.

On the D-ring road leading to Expy Boulevard, the highway to Al Bayt Stadium, a reporter from Bóng Đá (Football) magazine unexpectedly came across a young man, probably in his 20s, sleeping… by the roadside. Specifically, it was on a secluded section of sidewalk next to The Mall shopping center. He was a healthy-looking young man, quite clean-shaven, with a constant smile on his face.

This is the 45th day this young man has been in Doha, and who knows how many more days lie ahead. “That depends on the outcome for Argentina, and until Argentina completes their mission, I still have to find temporary accommodation like this,” Lucas began, recounting his journey.

Lucas is a huge Messi fan. Since August, he quit his job at a gas station in Buenos Aires to pursue his lifelong dream. With only about 2500 euros in his pocket, Lucas traveled through Peru and Spain before finally arriving in Doha. He even spent five days at Madrid airport after failing to find cheap flights to Doha three times.

Qatar isn't a popular tourist destination. At this point, Lucas only had a little over 1,000 euros left in his pocket, not enough to pay for a night's hotel. Therefore, Lucas wandered the streets, searching for secluded public sleeping places in Doha. On lucky days, he would ask to stay overnight at a local's house. He showered in public restrooms, drank water from fountains, and saved his cash for food. During the day, Lucas would go to shopping malls, enjoy the air conditioning, and charge his phone. In the afternoon, he would return to his nomadic lifestyle. "Luckily, the food is quite cheap," Lucas said, maintaining his optimism.

But Messi wasn't the only reason Lucas went to the far-off Middle East. This summer, Lucas broke up with his girlfriend because… he was poor. At the same time, Arana – Lucas's childhood friend – was diagnosed with a terminal illness: a malignant brain tumor. “Arana said he just wanted Messi's autograph on his shirt, and I was feeling down because of a broken heart. So, I decided to sell the pickup truck I inherited from… my grandfather and start my adventure,” Lucas recounted.

The truth is, Lucas didn't have a Hayya card when the World Cup started. What he feared was being deported by the police before he even got to meet Messi. “But it’s a gamble I want to take. I plan to go to the Argentina team’s training camp and ask for autographs. I’m not asking for a hug or a handshake, I just want to meet Messi and get his autograph. Surely they won’t make things difficult for fellow countrymen, right?” Lucas said quickly, before asking permission to go to sleep. Because tomorrow would be another long and arduous journey.