Paraguay artist who painted boots for Messi looks to bring color to World Cup

FILE PHOTO: Paraguayan artist Lili Cantero, 29, paints a soccer ball ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, in San Lorenzo, Paraguay October 15, 2022. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo

ASUNCIÓN (Reuters) - Lili Cantero, a 29-year-old Paraguayan artist famed for painting intricate and personal soccer boots for stars including Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, is preparing a new colorful show of her work to take to the World Cup in Qatar.

The Asuncion-born artist is painting some two dozen sets of boots, balls and canvases, many inspired by the Middle Eastern nation and its capital Doha, which will host national teams from around the world next month to compete for the World Cup crown.