Kerala Blasters' biggest fan group, Manjappada, has created a chant for star player Noah Sadaoui to the tune of Italian resistance song 'Bella Ciao' that received global publicity from Netflix series 'Money Heist'.
It is understood that the Manjappada plans to chant its version of 'Bella Ciao' during the home match against Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor in Kochi on Friday.
Noah has won the hearts of Blasters supporters since his summer move from FC Goa. The Moroccan attacker has started the Indian Super League campaign on a high with three goals and two assists from five matches.
Football fans worldwide have used 'Bella Ciao', often to taunt an opposition or as a tribute to one of their players. In 2018, fans of Portuguese side FC Porto tweaked the lyrics to taunt their rivals Benfica after the latter slipped up in the title race. The same year, following Argentina's early exit from the FIFA World Cup, fans of Brazil's national team customised Bella Ciao with remarks about Lionel Messi to rub it in. Brazil, however, exited in the next round.
As a tribute, supporters of English Premier League heavyweights Liverpool used the song to laud their exciting winger Luis Diaz. The Manjappada tribute for Noah is in the same vein as the Diaz chant.