Star centre-back Sandesh Jhingan on Wednesday wrote a hard-hitting post on his social media handles, pointing out how crores were spent on Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour, especially at a time when Indian football has reached rock bottom and with no investment prospects, the Indian Super League has been indefinitely postponed.
Not just the ISL, but even the 18-year-old I-League has also failed to find itself a commercial partner for the upcoming season, with the future of Indian football in doldrums.
Meanwhile, Messi’s three-day tour saw unprecedented public frenzy and huge crowds in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. The event was a sponsored one, with crores invested in bringing the Argentine superstar to India.
“What troubles me, however and
leaves me deeply reflective, is that at a time when our own football ecosystem is in jeopardy, arguably facing one of its most difficult phases, we stand on the brink of having no active domestic football ahead of us,” Jhingan wrote on his social media.
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“It feels as though we are close to shutting everything down because there is no willingness to invest in football within India, yet crores were spent on this tour,” Jhingan said.
“What this tells me is that we do love the sport, but perhaps not enough to support our own players,” Jhingan added.
The star footballer said that the unprecedented public response to the tour headlined by Messi, along with Rodrigo de Paul and Luis Suarez, laid bare the nation’s priorities.
“I am aware of the criticism that comes our way and I accept responsibility for performances. But football doesn’t exist in isolation. Anyone who truly understands the game knows how profoundly structure, stability and belief influence what ultimately happens on the pitch,” Jhingan said.
The star footballer said that the disparity exposed a harsh reality for those playing the game at home, adding that the contrast with the current state of Indian football left him reflective.
Accepting criticism aimed at the national team’s performances, Jhingan said that results cannot be separated from the system that produces them.
Despite the frustration, Jhingan expressed hope that Indian football could recover from its current malaise.
The GOAT India tour attracted packed stadiums and premium-ticket crowds in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi, but for many, it ended up being little more than a glorified, selfie-driven exhibition for the nation’s rich and famous.
The Kolkata leg descended into chaos at Salt Lake Stadium, with spectators, many of whom had paid hefty sums for tickets, claiming they were unable to get a clear glimpse of Messi.
The Argentine was on the field for around 20 minutes but remained surrounded by a crowd that included state minister Aroop Biswas.
The event spiralled into complete mayhem, leading to the arrest of organiser Shatadru Datta.
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