FIFA Celebrates Shaheen Afridi Alongside Football Icons

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has honored Pakistani cricket sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi in a recent social media feature, placing him among football legends.

Afridi was showcased with football stars Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., and Luka Modrić—all renowned for sporting the number 10 jersey—in an Instagram post by the official FIFA World Cup account.

The caption accompanying the image simply stated, “The iconic,” recognizing global sports figures associated with the celebrated number.

Sources indicate that FIFA’s purpose behind the post was to connect with Pakistani supporters in anticipation of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Reportedly, global digital teams are dedicated to boosting fan interaction through focused social media strategies in several nations, including Pakistan.

This acknowledgement from FIFA highlights Afridi’s increasing prominence and worldwide recognition as a sportsman, as he is now symbolically linked with the famed number 10 jersey alongside other celebrated athletes.

Notably, Shaheen Afridi captained the Lahore Qalandars to victory in the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10, where they defeated the Quetta Gladiators by six wickets at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

With 202 runs to chase, the Qalandars required 13 in the final over. Sikandar Raza delivered, hitting a boundary and a six to secure the win with one ball to spare.

This win solidified Shaheen’s position as the most accomplished captain in PSL history.

Having already secured back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, Afridi is now the first captain to claim the PSL trophy three times.

At just 25 years old, he uniquely holds the record as the captain with the most PSL titles. Every other captain in the league has only won the title once.

Captains with Most PSL Titles:
  • Shaheen Shah Afridi: 3
  • Other Captains: 1