Football

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer, has extended his sporting prowess beyond the cricket field by co-owning FC Goa, a prominent team in the Indian Super League (ISL). Kohli's passion for football has driven his involvement in the club, reflecting his desire to contribute to the growth of sports in India.FC Goa was one of the founding franchises of the ISL, established in 2014 to revolutionize Indian football. Kohli, a fervent football enthusiast, recognized the opportunity to support the development of the sport and became a co-owner of the Goa-based club. His involvement was not merely financial but stemmed from a genuine love for the game.Kohli has often shared his childhood memories of playing football, emphasizing its role in his fitness regimen. He has expressed that if not for cricket, he might have pursued football professionally. His association with FC Goa provided a platform to channel this passion into action, supporting a team in a region with a rich footballing heritage.Kohli's presence has significantly boosted the visibility of the ISL and FC Goa. His immense fan following in India and abroad has drawn attention to the league, contributing to its growth and popularity. As one of the most recognizable names in Indian sports, Kohli's involvement has added credibility and legitimacy to the ISL, which was still in its early stages when FC Goa was launched.While Kohli acknowledges that he is still learning the intricacies of football ownership, his influence extends beyond the financial aspect. He actively supports youth development programs, grassroots initiatives, and advocates for creating a sports culture in India. FC Goa, under Kohli and the other owners, has become one of the most competitive teams in the league, known for its attacking style and nurturing local talent.For Kohli, owning a football team aligns with his broader vision of promoting sports in India. He believes that football has immense potential for growth, and his involvement with FC Goa is a step towards building a culture where football is as popular as cricket. His journey with FC Goa highlights his commitment to contributing to the rise of football in India while balancing his own legendary cricket career.

Kylian Mbappé, the French football sensation, has joined Real Madrid in a record-breaking move that has made him one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. Despite taking a pay cut to leave Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé's monthly salary at Real Madrid still eclipses the combined earnings of Indian cricket superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.Mbappé's lucrative deal with Los Blancos will see him earn an estimated INR 285 crore in his first year at the Santiago Bernabeu. This translates to a staggering INR 23.7 crore per month, making him the highest-paid player in the Spanish league.In comparison, Kohli and Sharma, two of the most celebrated cricketers in India, are expected to earn around INR 7 crore each per year from the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) annual central contracts. While they are also the faces of their respective teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), their combined IPL salaries still fall short of Mbappé's monthly earnings at Real Madrid.Mbappé's astronomical salary is a testament to his exceptional talent and marketability. The 25-year-old forward has established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in the world, winning numerous individual and team accolades. His move to Real Madrid has been highly anticipated by fans and pundits alike, and he is expected to play a key role in the club's quest for more silverware.While Mbappé's salary may seem excessive to some, it reflects the growing financial power of football clubs and the increasing value of top-tier athletes. In recent years, several football players have signed contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, highlighting the lucrative nature of the sport.Mbappé's move to Real Madrid is a significant moment in his career and a testament to his status as one of the most sought-after players in the world. His astronomical salary is a reflection of his exceptional talent and the financial power of football clubs.

Sunil Chhetri, the legendary Indian footballer, has shifted his focus to representing his club, Bengaluru FC, after retiring from international football. Chhetri's popularity remains undiminished, as evidenced by the thunderous cheers he received during the club's open training session at the Bangalore Football Stadium.The 39-year-old striker declined to specify when he would retire from club football, stating that he would continue playing as long as he could contribute to the team. "A lot depends on what value I bring to the team. That is a very important criteria," Chhetri said. "I do not want to be here if I don't add value. I want to give my very best to this team."Chhetri expressed his joy at the Indian cricket team's victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, particularly for his close friend Virat Kohli. "I love the fact that he (Kohli) won the tournament. It was long overdue. I know that he genuinely wanted to win it. To see the tears, as a sportsperson myself, I understood the emotions," Chhetri said.Like all Indian fans, Chhetri's heart skipped a beat when David Miller nearly hit a maximum in the final over of the match. "When Miller hit the ball, we all thought it was going for six. What a catch by Suryakumar (Yadav)! It is a fine margin — if that had gone for six, who knows what would have happened. Kudos to the whole team," Chhetri said.Chhetri acknowledged that BFC's 10th place finish in ISL 2023-24 was among the club's worst performances. He expressed a strong desire to restore the club to its winning ways. "The message from the head coach (Gerard Zaragoza) is very clear. He wants us to win every day. Firstly, we have to be at our best in training. There is a lot of competition in the team, so the coach made it very clear that everyone has to work hard to grab their places in the side. This creates a healthy atmosphere," Chhetri added.

Virat Kohli Lauds Sunil Chhetri's Retirement Decision, Praises His Modest NatureIndian cricket legend Virat Kohli has expressed his admiration for ace footballer Sunil Chhetri's decision to retire from international football. In an interview on the RCB Insider Show, Kohli revealed that Chhetri had messaged him prior to announcing his retirement."He is a really dear friend. He actually messaged me as well, informing me that he was going to do it. But I would say that he felt like he is at peace with the decision," Kohli said.Kohli praised Chhetri's modest nature and his contentment with his decision to retire. "I have become really close with him over the years and wish him nothing but the best. He is a lovely lovely guy," Kohli added.Chhetri, who has been an inspiration to Indian football, will play his last international match against Kuwait on June 6. The third-highest active international goal scorer, Chhetri has scored 94 goals in 150 matches for India.In his retirement announcement, Chhetri recalled emotional moments with his family. "I told my mom, my dad and my wife, my family first, my dad, he was normal, he was relieved, happy, everything, but my mom and my wife started crying and I told them, you always used to bug me that there are too many games, there is too much of pressure when you watch me and now that I'm telling you that, you know, I'm not going to play for my country anymore after this game," he said.Meanwhile, Kohli has been in impressive form for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing IPL 2024. The former India captain is the current Orange Cap holder with 661 runs in 13 matches, including one century and five half-centuries.