Norah Takkekar
As World cup fever sweeps through Goa, football enthusiasts can be seen on the street and in homes across the state, proudly donning the colours of the nations they support. From the iconic canary yellow of Brazil to the deep blue of France, from Argentina’s famous sky-and-white stripes to Portugal’s smart crimson. Goa being one of the country’s most football-mad states, the World Cup sees fans picking up their favourite team jerseys, whether it’s the classic home strip or the bold away kit. Friends scheduling sleepovers at each-others houses, adults meeting up at the local bars with big screens and families gathered in the living room each place is accompanied with cheers and groans in almost equal measures. World Cup is more than just a tournament, it is a time when friendly rivalries are worn on sleeves, allegiances are declared loudly, and for a few glorious weeks, football truly rules everything for fans.
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THE COLOURS OF FANDOM
Goa’s football culture is well over a century old, and it continues to thrive with remarkable energy. Across the state, people wear jerseys not simply as sportswear but as a visible badge of belonging and loyalty.
Wearing a jersey is an unspoken statement for which nation you support and love. “Owning a country jersey helps me feel connected to my favourite team and sport I love. It represents my support for the team,” says Amanda Crasto, a football fan from Divar. “It’s like a culture, we show our support through the jersey, and wearing Ronaldo inspires me to play like him and get better every-time,” says Morgan Gomes, a student from Panjim.
WEARING THE LEGENDS
“I am deeply rooting for Portugal to win this season and my idol is definitely Cristiano Ronaldo, because of the hard work and passion he has for the sport and not forgetting his talent. It gives me the motivation that if you truly believe in yourself and your dreams nothing is impossible” quotes Rio Cristriano Crasto, an 18-year-old from Goa Velha.
Many Goans support their idols with genuine passion and have been consistent supporters since many years and the world cup season seems to fuel their passionate love towards their favourite players. For the locals, supporting a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, or Neymar is not just about the sport but also about the dedication, discipline and memories associated with the player “I am supporting Brazil. They’ve always been my favourite team, and I enjoy following their matches and cheering them on. My idol is Neymar. I admire his creativity, skill, confidence, and ability to make a difference in important matches. His flair and passion for the game inspires me.” says Amanda.
THE JERSEY BECOMES AN HEIRLOOM
A jersey, a conversation starter, and often a family heirloom passed down through generations. “I am wearing a jersey right now with pride and representation for the country I love, and loving the country I support has been passed down through the generations of my family. My father grew up watching Zinedine Zidane, a very famous midfielder, he played for France and won three champions league with Real Madrid in a row, so my father was very obsessed with his game, and now I watch Mbappe. His support for France kind of inspired me to support France as well, so owning a jersey of France makes me feel connected to my past generation, who also watched football growing up” says Shreyaj Tari, a 18-year-old from Chimbel.
TRADING SLEEP FOR FOOTBALL
For devoted fans, sleep inevitably takes a back seat because of the time difference. Fans stay up through the night to watch their football idols in action yet they don’t seem to mind losing sleep at all. The matches seem too compelling to miss. “I skip plans and stay up late to watch matches because it’s worth it and it is interesting to watch countries unite together to reach the top,” mentions Ferdinand Harvalkar, an 18-year-old football enthusiast from Divar. “I do stay up late nights to watch the games knowing I have college or any other work early in the morning. It’s just that when I watch games there is no other thought on my mind, it gives peace to the mind,” adds Rio. This deep, unwavering passion for football is exactly what makes the World Cup experience so extraordinary.
Watching the matches becomes a kind of ritual, one that demands patience through four long years of waiting, yet rewards fans with unforgettable memories, electrifying thrills, and the collective roar of celebration that the tournament brings with it.
