Will Cristiano Ronaldo come to Goa? The question has everyone guessing — especially in South Goa’s Fatorda, which is set to host an AFC Champions League Two match between Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr FC and Indian Super League club FC Goa at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on October 22.
Organised annually by the Asian Football Confederation, the AFC Champions League Two is the second-tier competition of Asian club football. Ronaldo is the captain of Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr. Since Al-Nassr and FC Goa were drawn in the same group in the competition in August, speculation has been rife about the Portuguese superstar’s first visit to India.
Ronaldo was not in the squad for the Saudi side’s first two matches in the competition — against Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in Riyadh and away to Al Zawraa SC in Iraq. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has also been cautious about managing his schedule, particularly travel for away games and security challenges, as he prepares for next year’s World Cup. Final confirmation of his visit will be known only “closer to the match”, officials say.
However, the uncertainty around his visit has not dimmed the buzz in football-crazy Goa, with the game being billed as a “once-in-a-lifetime” event. At an award ceremony to felicitate football players last week, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant too echoed the sentiment.
“The news about Cristiano Ronaldo’s possibility of visiting Goa has created huge excitement among football fans, not only in Goa but across India,” he said. “Ronaldo is one of the great footballers of all time. His visit to Goa will be a moment of great pride for the state. Ronaldo’s presence will inspire thousands of young players and will put Goa firmly on the global sports tourism map. For Goans, who live and breathe football, his visit…would be a celebration of passion, excellence and the unifying power of the beautiful game”.
The Fatorda stadium, which has a capacity of 18,900, is expected to be packed on Wednesday. (Express Photo)
Though the Saudi Arabian club boasts stars like former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, ex-Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Joao Felix, former Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman, and ex-Real Sociedad centre-back Inigo Martinez, Ronaldo — one of the greatest players in football history — has an unmatched aura and charisma.
“I am a Messi fan,” says 15-year-old Rivik Mirji from Margao. “But Ronaldo coming here is a historic occasion for Indian football. Even if he does not play and just sits in the stands.”
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With tickets priced between Rs 2,500 and Rs 25,000, fans are lining up at the box office near the stadium and making frantic calls to local politicians and officials to “arrange passes”. The Fatorda stadium, which has a capacity of 18,900, is expected to be packed on Wednesday.
“I usually don’t watch this competition. Ronaldo is the only reason I will be going,” says 18-year-old Yuvan Reddy, who plays for his school football team. “I am excited to see him…but we will support our team FC Goa.”
Loyalties among football fans, however, remain sacrosanct. “I am a Liverpool fan. I don’t care about Ronaldo. I will go to see Sadio Mane, since he played for my club,” Luis, a local, says.
At a football turf near the stadium, coach Menino Miranda shouts instructions to his young ward Joshua. “I want a goal. Nothing else.”
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In his youth, Miranda played for Goan clubs like Churchill Brothers FC and Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama. “Tickets are being sold in Ronaldo’s name. I doubt if he will come to Goa. Goans love football, but lately crowds at stadiums are thinning. For professional matches, tickets are so cheap and yet people do not come to watch,” he says.
He adds: “I remember more than a decade ago Portuguese footballer Figo visited Goa. Portugal has that connection with Goans… due to history and culture”.
In December 2021, a newly unveiled statue of Ronaldo had sparked a row in Goa — a former Portuguese colony — with some locals waving black flags, claiming the authorities had ignored local footballing icons and instead honoured a Portuguese player.
FC Goa management too is unclear on whether Ronaldo will be travelling to Goa, with CEO Ravi Puskur calling it “work in progress”.
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“We do not have any clarity at present. His team has said they are exploring options and they will take a decision closer to time. We are following up and yet to get confirmation. As part of the protocol, every visiting club sends a list of their travelling contingent for visa applications, and in that squad of 28 players, Ronaldo’s application is also included,” Puskur says.
But he admits it would be the “most high-profile game” for the club. “The interest is 10 times more than the other games. If Al-Nassr cannot sell football, then I don’t know who can,” he says.
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