Robert Pires may not be the name that comes to mind of Indian fans when they consider the names of top footballers who ply their trade in the country, but there he is in business class on Air India 659 en route to Goa. On the seat next to him is a short guy with a gait that is slightly bowlegged, but arguably the greatest player ever to kick a ball since Pele, a guy named Zico.
As we, plebeians, piled into economy class at Mumbai airport there was exhaustion writ large on the face, but there was also a smile playing on our lips. A smile, that hinted of better times to come in the not so distant future. A future that was suggested by Robert Pires during the course of a conversation with this journalist when he said that he was not here as a tourist, but as a professional footballer who had pride and had earned a name in some of the best leagues in the world. And that name, he intended to keep. Or as Zico said that he would do his very best to ensure that the players adapted well to the demands of the league and perform to expectations.
As the aircraft flew over the Indian coastline, the view through the window was of unrelenting darkness but cutting through the night like a knife, was this aircraft carrying these two football greats, who could revitalise the soul of a State. A tad over the top you might think, but that is exactly what Goa perhaps needs. Football is the soul of the State. It is a game that evokes extreme passion here and that may be stating the obvious but that passion has not been carefully nurtured. Robert said the response from fans in Mumbai had stunned him and it was something he had frankly least expected but it has also given him an insight into what he could expect in the days and weeks to come.
As the aircraft finally landed at Dabolim airport and everyone waited for the jet bridge to be attached, Pires fiddled with his bag and Zico waited patiently. As they stepped off and walked through the airport it was interesting to observe the two men who had a key to Goa’s emotions over the next couple of weeks. Zico wanted to sneak out and go home while Pires decided to meet the raucous group of fans who had assembled outside singing and yelling his name. Several photographs and garlands later, he was led to a car and driven off. Zico had managed to make his ‘escape’ by sneaking off under the very noses of the fans. As the fans dispersed and the journalist left, one was left with a feeling that perhaps here was an opportunity for Goa to be one and to unite behind FC Goa and to push it to greater heights and hopefully even to win the IFL. This team deserves it and yes, Goa deserves it too.
