A giant mural of a woman standing with a football in her hand on the side of a tall building in Moscow is going viral. A Russian advertising agency used the 2018 FIFA World Cup as an opportunity to create the mural on the 12-storey tall building. In the portrait is Novatek Art director Ivan Panteleev's wife Daria in a gym outfit against the backdrop of bright blue sky. She stands amidst tall grasses while birds fly around her.

Panteleev was commissioned with decorating the building facades in Moscow ahead of the football championship. Novatek Art shared the picture on social media with the caption, "This is the mural with which we are welcoming all foreigners to Russia and inviting them to the soccer games!"

Replying to a social media post, Panteleeva said, "If an artist or an organizer is commissioned to paint a 'blonde Russian woman with a ball'.. why should anyone care if the artist paints a woman they know or a stranger?" He added saying, "It's true that the model for this painting was my wife."

Here is the mural that is the talk of the town:

A post shared by Moscow (@konstantin_r.o) on

The funding for facade in Zhulebino district came from the Moscow city budget, Panteleev told Reuters. It is one of four World Cup murals co-sponsored by the city's public relations committee. While most praised Panteleev for painting his wife on the building, some did not appear impressed.

Anna Nistratova, an art gallery director in Moscow, in a Facebook post said, "Panteleev couldn't resist and draw a portrait of his wife the size of the entire building. Usually, in response to criticism, he says that we're just jealous. In this case--totally jealous. Ladies, get yourself this type of husband!"

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2018 03:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).