Lionel Messi Gifts 100-Year-Old Pauline Kana Aka Granny Smith Argentina Jersey (Watch Video)
Discover the incredible story of Pauline Kana, affectionately known as 'Granny Smith,' the nearly 100-year-old superfan of Lionel Messi, who has become a viral sensation at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Her passionate support for Argentina, visible in her iconic banners and jersey, has captured hearts worldwide, despite recent reports of a direct jersey gift.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to deliver moments of pure emotion, and among the most heartwarming is the enduring passion of Pauline Kana, the nearly 100-year-old superfan of Argentine maestro Lionel Messi. Known globally as 'Granny Smith' or 'Gangster Granny,' Kana has once again stolen the spotlight, cheering on her idol and becoming a viral phenomenon for her unwavering dedication to La Albiceleste. Lionel Messi's Reaction To Jordan Pickford's Leaked Penalty Notes on Water Bottle Goes Viral (Watch Video).
Lionel Messi's Warm Gesture Towards Fan
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Hailing from Ohio, USA, Pauline Kana, who was born on August 1, 1926, is currently 99 years old and will celebrate her centennial birthday in just a few weeks. Despite her actual age, numerous reports during the ongoing World Cup have affectionately labeled her as the '100-year-old Messi fan,' celebrating her incredible vitality and spirit. Kana's journey to internet stardom began with her grandson, Ross Smith, with whom she creates popular comedy content, amassing millions of followers across platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Her affection for Messi has been well-documented over the years. During an Inter Miami match in 2025, Kana famously held a sign that read, 'Messi, will you marry me?' The lighthearted proposal captured widespread attention, with Messi himself acknowledging her with a smile and a thumbs-up – a moment that instantly went viral. Her presence at the 2026 World Cup has seen her continue this tradition, holding banners declaring her centenarian status and her ardent Messi fandom during Argentina's matches, including their 2-0 victory over Austria in June. Lionel Messi Dismisses Allegations of FIFA Bias After Argentina Qualifies For World Cup 2026 Final.
While Pauline Kana is frequently seen donning an Argentina jersey as she passionately supports Messi, recent extensive searches do not confirm a specific event where Lionel Messi personally gifted her an Argentina jersey in the context of the current World Cup or recent events. Messi has, in the past, made heartwarming gestures to other fans, such as sending a signed jersey to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2025 and to a young Afghan fan in 2016, and even gifting a match-worn jersey to his own mother in 2025. However, a direct, recent gifting event involving Pauline Kana has not been widely reported with verifiable details or video evidence.
Kana's visibility at the World Cup, passionately cheering for Messi and Argentina, underscores the global reach and intergenerational appeal of football's biggest star. Her vibrant personality and unwavering support serve as a testament to the power of sport to unite and inspire across all ages.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2026 02:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
