It is official – India will face Brazil in a football friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 3. The stadium has, more often than not, been the preferred venue on the rare occasions that football’s elites have descended upon India, and yet, this might just be the biggest match it has ever hosted. Both countries’ football federations noted Brazil’s big Indian fanbase. Now, these fans can see the Brazilian team play in person for the first time ever.
For Brazil, this will be the final stop in the first set of friendlies they will play after a disappointing World Cup campaign. The five-time world champions will face Australia in two matches on September 25 in Townsville and on September 29 in Brisbane. The India visit will be their third match of the window.
For India, though, this might just be the biggest match they have played at home. It will be the first time India will play a side ranked in the top five of the FIFA rankings, with Brazil currently ranked fifth. India have almost never been in the conversation when it comes to competing in the tournaments that Brazil tend to be interested in, but the cultural significance of the latter can be seen whenever a World Cup comes around, particularly in regions like Kolkata and Kerala.
Both the Indian and Brazilian statements acknowledge the presence of a large fanbase for Brazilian football in the country. “It will be a special encounter with a country that hosts the largest international fanbase of the Brazilian National Team and that, for generations, has followed the history of Brazilian football with immense affection and passion. We are eager to live this moment alongside millions of Indian fans!” said the CBF.
The AIFF, meanwhile, said that Brazil’s legacy has “inspired generations of footballers across the world, including millions of passionate supporters in India.”
“India is known for having one of the largest Brazilian fan bases outside of Brazil.”
“To welcome a team of Brazil’s stature to our country is an extraordinary moment and one that will undoubtedly become a landmark chapter in the history of Indian football,” said M Satyanarayan, AIFF deputy secretary general.
Neymar’s farewell?
Neymar, who remains the face of the Brazilian team despite his decline in recent years, announced his retirement from international football. While Brazil’s O Globo had reported on the possibility of the CBF holding a farewell match for the country’s record goalscorer, the plans are still in a speculative stage, and Kolkata may be an unlikely venue for Neymar’s farewell match.
However, Brazil are not treating these friendlies as mere obligations. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has already announced that Casemiro and Danilo, apart from Neymar, are no longer part of his plans. He also signalled his intention to start trying out new players as Brazil begin their buildup to the 2030 World Cup. Their Round of 16 exit to Norway this year was largely seen as a disaster in the country.
“I think that this World Cup brings a generation of very important players to an end,” Ancelotti told O Globo. “Starting with Neymar, also Danilo and Casemiro, all of these players who were over 30 at the World Cup.
“We are going to look at new players who can come in. I won’t say specifically for the World Cup in 2030, but who can already be competitive for our first objective, which is the Copa America in 2028.”
Ancelotti named captain Marquinhos as a player he is looking to continue with for the upcoming cycle. ”I’m not going to say that I’m going to change the entire 26,” he added. “We are going to keep some important players, who can continue with our work, like Marquinhos, to give you one name.
“I think it is important that players like him stay on to give a sign of continuity in our work. But the idea is for change and to bring about a new generation.”