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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- PM Modi picks his greatest footballer of all time
- He chooses between Pele, Ronaldo, Messi, Maradona, and Zidane
- Modi shares India's little-known football culture and 'Mini Brazil' tale
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely known for his love of cricket, he recently revealed his interest in football as well. In an interaction on Lex Fridman’s Podcast, the Indian PM was asked to choose the greatest footballer of all time.
PM Modi's GOAT Pick: Maradona or Messi?
When presented with the legendary names of Diego Maradona, Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Zinedine Zidane, PM Modi acknowledged the brilliance of different eras.
PM Modi on the GOAT Debate:
"Back in the 1980s, one name that always stood out was Maradona. For that generation, he was seen as a true hero. And if you ask today's generation, they'll immediately mention Messi."
Both Maradona and Messi hail from Argentina and have led their nation to World Cup glory—Maradona in 1986 and Messi in 2022. The connection between the two is even deeper, as Maradona played for Barcelona, the club where Messi made history over two decades.
PM Modi’s 'Mini Brazil' Tale: A Hidden Football Gem in India
Beyond the GOAT debate, PM Modi shared an unknown story about India’s deep-rooted passion for football.
PM Modi on 'Mini Brazil' in Madhya Pradesh:
"There’s a district called Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh, a completely tribal region. When I visited, I saw around 80-100 young boys and youth all dressed in sports uniforms. Curious, I asked them, 'Where are you all from?' They replied, 'We’re from Mini Brazil.'
Wondering why it was called Mini Brazil, Modi was amazed by their answer:
"Football has been played there for four generations, and nearly 80 national-level players have come from the village. The entire village is dedicated to football."
The annual football fixture in Shahdol draws a crowd of 20,000 to 25,000 spectators, showing the region’s immense love for the game.
India’s Growing Football Culture
PM Modi also praised India’s national women’s football team for their progress and expressed his admiration for grassroots football in the country.
With such hidden footballing talent in India, could this be a stepping stone for Indian football’s rise on the global stage?
