In preparation for the World Cup in Qatar, Lili Cantero, a 29-year-old Paraguayan artist known for painting beautiful and unique soccer boots for celebrities like Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, is putting together a new, vibrant exhibition of her work.
Approximately twenty pairs of boots, balls, and canvases are being painted by the Asuncion-born artist, many of which are inspired by the Middle Eastern country and its capital Doha, which will host national teams from all over the world to battle for the World Cup title next month.
Cantero made a name for herself painting soccer boots, including a pair she sent to Argentine star Lionel Messi when he was playing at Barcelona, lovingly detailed with a gallery of black and white images of the striker and his family.
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She hadn’t known if he would even receive them, but to her surprise she received a photo of Messi, one of the world’s best soccer players, holding the boots. That marked a turning point for Cantero at a time she had almost decided to stop painting.
“Messi’s boots marked a before and after,” said Cantero, who wants to create her own sportswear brand and bring Paraguayan art to major global events. “It was a nice moment because thanks to that many doors were opened and my career really started.”
Her colorful designs drew attention from other players. She met two years ago in Asuncion former Brazil striker Ronaldinho Gaucho, to whom she gave boots and a ball portraying a kiss his mother had given him after winning the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
In Qatar, Cantero plans to exhibit eight balls with designs that pay tribute to the countries that have lifted the trophy throughout history: Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Uruguay, France, England and Spain.
The footwear will be displayed inside 3D replicas of the eight World Cup stadiums that Qatar constructed in Doha, Lusail, Rayyan, Al Khor, and Al Wakrah. The subsequent seasons will incorporate aspects of both Paraguayan and Qatari culture.
Cantero added, “I have been working on this for three years, and I feel very proud to represent my country at this World Cup.
“I was greatly motivated by the intense passion with which football is played in Latin America. Since I was a young kid, I have been obsessed with football. Because I have always enjoyed both art and football, I was able to integrate the two through my work “.
