In a creative show of support, Kerala Blasters’ largest fan group, Manjappada, has crafted a unique chant for their star player, Noah Sadaoui, inspired by the iconic Italian resistance song “Bella Ciao.” Popularized worldwide by the Netflix series Money Heist, the tune has become a symbol of defiance and solidarity for football fans across the globe. Manjappada is planning to debut its version of the chant during Kerala Blasters’ highly anticipated home fixture against Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi this Friday.
Since joining Kerala Blasters from FC Goa in the summer, Moroccan forward Noah Sadaoui has quickly captured the hearts of fans with his thrilling performances. He has been pivotal to the team’s success, already racking up three goals and two assists in just five matches at the start of the Indian Super League (ISL) season. The chant is intended to energize the crowd and inspire Sadaoui to shine once again.
Fans around the world have adopted the “Bella Ciao” melody to either taunt rivals or celebrate players. In 2018, FC Porto fans used it against Benfica, while Brazilian fans repurposed it after Argentina’s early World Cup exit. Similarly, Liverpool fans lauded their winger Luis Diaz with a “Bella Ciao”-inspired chant. Manjappada’s tribute to Sadaoui aligns with this global trend, aiming to boost his spirits and add fire to the clash against Bengaluru FC.
