25th April 2016

The architect of modern Indian football

Syed Abdul Rahim, also known as Rahim Saab, is regarded as the architect of modern Indian football. He was the coach and the manager of the Indian national football team from 1950 till his death in 1963. His biggest achievements were India ranking fourth in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and winning the gold in the 1962 Bangkok Asian Games. His decision of making Jarnail Singh play as the withdrawal centre forward in the final of the 1962 Asiad is considered as a great innovation of his era.

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6th April 2016

The iconic Pelé–Bobby Moore jersey exchange of 1970

In the 1970 World Cup football match between Brazil and England, Brazil won 1–0. After the match, the two great players, Bobby Moore and Pelé exchanged jerseys as a token of mutual respect. Perhaps this incident set the tradition of exchange of jerseys among players in modern-day football. But after this there was a queer incident. All No. 10 jerseys meant for Pelé were stolen by a crazy fan and the situation became so much catastrophic so that before the next match against Rumania, the Brazilian team management had almost decided to ask Bobby Moore to return Pele’s jersey. However, that was ultimately not required.

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29th March 2016

Physical difficulties couldn’t field out this best attacking midfielder

Michel Platini of France is known as one of the best attacking midfielders of the game. He was also known for his trademark freekicks. He had breathing difficulties and a weak heart. He has been named the European Footballer of the Year thrice in 1983, 1984 and 1985. In his teens while taking a breathing test on a spirometer, he fainted. The doctor’s verdict on his breathing difficulties and weak heart apparently brought an end to all his hopes of pursuing a career in football, but what actually happened is contrary to that and by all means a history.

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29th March 2016

Charged with stealing the coat of a beauty queen

George Best is considered at times to be the best footballer ever produced. His performance can be best summarized by the statement ‘Maradona good, Pelé better, George best’. But he was notorious for his extravagant lifestyle, most notably alcoholism, which led him to several problems. He was charged with trespassing and stealing a fur coat, passport, cheque book, liquor and other items from American beauty queen Miss Marjorie Wallace.

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