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Though India hasn’t been a footballing giant, numerous famous footballers have visited India time and again. Here are five famous footballing stars to have visited India.
#1 Pele in 1978 and 2015
Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele; who is regarded as the god of football, visited India for the first time in 1978 on a trip to Kolkata. His second visit came in last week when again visited Kolkata and then New Delhi. The Brazilian great is the only player in history to win the World Cup thrice in his career alongside numerous individual and other team honours.
At the tender age of 17 Pele became the youngest World Cup winner at the time. He is one of the greatest ambassadors of the game. He was awarded the Player of the Century award in 2000 along with Maradona
#2 Maradona in 2008 and 2012
Diego Maradona, the footballing god from Argentina also visited India twice. In 2008 he visited Kolkata for an exhibition match and again in October 2012, this time in Kerala. In both of his visits to India the Argentine was welcomed with huge crowds and people desperately wanting to have at least one look at him.
During his playing days Maradona mesmerised everyone his juggling skills and his footballing acumen was unreal at times. He led Argentina to their second World Cup title in Mexico 1986 with his brilliance. In the quarter final of the tournament he scored the famous goal against England which is regarded as ‘goal of the century’ by many.
At club level he led Boca juniors of Argentina to my titles. When also joined Napoli in Italy, and lead it to UEFA cup glory alongside league titles. He was awarded the joint player of the century award in 2000 with Pele.
#3 Oliver Kahn in 2008
Oliver Kahn visited India in 2008 along with Bayern Munich. On 27th May Kahn played in his Final testimonial match against Mohan Bagan at the Salt lake Stadium in Kolkata. He was one of the finest goal keepers to have played the game.
Oliver Kahn is a legend of German Football. He was one of the hardest men to go past. He won UEFA European Championship in 1996 with Germany and was a runner-up in the 2002 World Cup. He has also won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2000-01, and was also awarded man of the match for his performances in the final.
Kahn was awarded the Golden Ball for the 2002 World Cup. He was also awarded the best European goalkeeper award for four years in a row from 1999 to 2002.
#4 Lionel Messi in 2011
Lionel Messi came with his Argentina side to Indian in August. Argentina had a friendly match against Venezuela at the Salt lake stadium in Kolkata. Messi is arguably one the best footballers of all time. His success at club level cannot be matched.
He is a record goal scorer for FC Barcalona, he is already a legend. A World Cup and Copa America runner-up, the only thing which eludes this magician is silverware for Argentina.
He has won the world footballer of the year 4 times and no one knows how many are still there for him to take. He has won 4 champions’ league medals and has numerous Spanish La Liga and Kings Cup victory under his belt.
#5 Bayern Munich in 2012
In early January of 2012, the line-up consisting of Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer and other players from Germany who were an integral part of the German side which won the World Cup in 2014 in Brazil visited India. The side also had Arjen Robben, a World Cup runner-up.
The Bayern Munich side full of stars has won Bundasliga, Polka Cup and the Champions league title in last five years. The club is also amongst the top five most valuabled clubs in world football.
Historically Bayern Munich is the most successful club in Germany and has constantly produced greats of the game. The club always has a strong contingent of players in the German national side.
