Football maestros like Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbappé and Neymar were the expected stars of the Qatar World Cup on the field, but from the start of the tournament, on social networks, the real attraction has turned out to be an unexpected “phone ringer” who is now affectionately known as the “Metro Guy”.
The migrant subway employee from Kenya has become a World Cup sensation by the way that he guides fans leaving stadiums to the nearest station.
His popular guiding phrase “Meteroo, Metrooo, Metroo” has been ringing across TikTok and other platforms.
There are many metro workers who perform this service in the three lines leading to the 8 stadiums of the World Cup distributed in five locations, but Abubakar Abass from Mombasa has stood out above all others.
His TikTok account @metro_man001 has already exceeded over 25,000 followers in just three days.
The trending videos, where he directs fans from a chair hoisted above the ground, with a fluorescent giant glove, screaming or singing through a megaphone, have amassed more than 100,000 likes in a short time, with all kinds of hashtags such as #metromanqatar, #metroguy or #donmetroman.
Those in Qatar have described Abubakar as “a beautiful and fun story” in the middle of all controversies surrounding this World Cup, with heavy criticism of the supposed anti-human rights policies of the host country.
He has been hailed for driving the people away from racism, boredom, and enmity.
In Qatar, everyone wants to take a selfie with the “MetroGuy”.
“Seeing him today, it really changed everyone’s mood.”
“This is the best thing that has happened in the World Cup in years.”
“A simple man.”
“Qatar’s true feeling.”
“This guy knows how to put a fun touch on his work! What a way to make fans laugh while telling them how to get to the subway,” are some of the viral comments and reactions to the ‘MetroGuy’ videos on TikTok.
Enjoy some of Abubakar’s viral videos below.
METRO GUY. A mombasa Lad. Went to work in Qatar as a metro direction guy.
He was awarded for his good job mashallah.
Thank you bro. @FauzKhalid @A_S_Nassir @HassanAliJoho @SuleimanShahbal @taufiqbalala pic.twitter.com/OgrFDmjtt8
— FAIZ HISHAM (@Faiz_hisham2) November 23, 2022
proof that Kenyans are the coolest breed on earth #metro #metroguy #FIFAWorldCup #fifametroguy pic.twitter.com/kt8Bc3IVAW
— Zack Man (@zackopiyo) November 24, 2022
Metro 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/X4ukPI5jvu
— KALYJAY (@gyaigyimii) November 23, 2022
— Faith Mirema (@faith_mirema) November 24, 2022
This is An Africa guy from Kenya 🇰🇪 who became famous by say Directing people to metro station in Qatar FIFA World Cup … pic.twitter.com/go47pIIiIt
— Chris Emilo Media 🇦🇪 (@chrisemilodubai) November 23, 2022
Metro ➡️ #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/GLA0trvZ4I
— Ahmer Khan 🇵🇰 ✪ (@StellarTweeting) November 23, 2022
This Metro guy is trending huko Tiktok.
It had to be a Kenyan 😂 pic.twitter.com/1MiIxSJERX— Akbas Omondi (@Ammar_Kassim8) November 21, 2022
Ahhh he got an award. I love this so much 🤣. My bro is flying out to Qatar tomorrow and I told him he NEEDS to get a pic with the Metro guy #FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/cZL8uSvckn
— . (@inatamiima) November 23, 2022
"Came to Qatar to see Messi ❌. Came to Qatar to see Metro guy ✅"
This gentleman,who I believe is our brother from Kenya ,has stolen hearts at the Qatar World Cup 2022.
This post is about "How to Passion".
-Shift your perspective.
-Connect with others.
[email protected] pic.twitter.com/f8yvFDiu0C— Fadhila Saad(M.A.P.M) (@HRHfadhila) November 22, 2022
AND THAT is the story of how how a simple man has become the sensation of the Qatar World Cup.
