'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the story?
North East United FC (NEUFC) are well out of the title race for this season’s ISL, especially with their 0-1 loss against the Kerala Blasters in their final home match last weekend.
The Highlanders' marquee defender Nirmal Chettri was also gutted about the same, but had a silver lining as he got himself photographs with former Manchester United players Dimitar Berbatov and Wes Brown who are currently playing for KBFC.
It was a fanboy moment for the 27-year-old Indian as he got to play against his idols, a memory that he forever wants to cherish.
In case you did not know...
Born in Melli Bazar, Sikkim, Nirmal had been passionate about football since a small age. He was discovered in the I-League by Air India following which he joined Kolkata giants East Bengal.
During his stint at EB, Chettri had even earned a special appreciation from veteran German footballer Gerd Muller, team manager Bayern Munich (U23) when the two teams played each other in 2009.
The heart of the matter
Nirmal, who initially started off as a striker, is a huge fan of EPL side Manchester United. But his gradual evolution into one of the leading defenders in the country implied that he adored the defenders of his favourite team as well.
In fact, in a previous interview with Sportskeeda, Nirmal had revealed that he used to try and follow the steps of legendary ‘Red Devils’ and England centre-back Rio Ferdinand, during his academy days.
Thus when Chhetri got to meet his other United legends, his happiness knew no bounds. An overwhelmed Chhetri then enjoyed a photo session with Berbatov and Brown and later took to his Twitter to post the same.
You can see the Tweet below
What’s next?
With NEUFC out of ISL 4, they can only hope to come back stronger next year in a bid to break their trophy drought and win the coveted title for the first-time.
Author’s take
ISL has been clinical in shaping the football landscape of India. Apart from unearthing talents, the league has also seen the advent of a plethora of international stars who have rejuvenated the excitement surrounding the game in the country with their presence.
