Mini Brazil in India? Modi amazed by Madhya Pradesh’s football obsession

Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not think of himself as an expert on cricket but pointed out that recent performances indicated India was a superior team to Pakistan and also highlighted the unifying power of sport. Modi opined in an off-the-cuff conversation with American podcaster Lex Fridman on Sunday. Modi was also queried as to whom he would choose as the greatest of all time footballer. The Indian Prime Minister opined that though Diego Maradona was celebrated as a hero during 1980s, Lionel Messi enjoys gigantic support in today's game.

India won the Champions Trophy title

"I am not an expert, I don't know technique of this game, only experts can say that but some days ago, India and Pakistan played a match. The result shows which are the better team. That's how we know," Modi stated. India won the Champions Trophy title and also defeated Pakistan during its unbeaten streak in the tournament. "I strongly have a belief sports have the ability to charge the world. Sports spirit unites people from various countries. That's why I would never wish to lose sports or get discredited.

Modi mentioned that he was surprised to see the craze

I really believe sports have a significant contribution towards human evolution, they're not merely games; they bring people closer," the PM added. Discussing the popularity of football in India, Modi mentioned that he was surprised to see the craze for the game in a small town in Madhya Pradesh. He was talking about Bicharpur which is now mini Brazil for its immense love for football.

Where have you all come from?

Shahdol district is totally a tribal area where a major tribal population lives. There were about 80 to 100 young boys and even elderly youth, all wearing sports jerseys," PM Modi reminisced. He asked them that 'Where have you all come from?' and they said, 'We are from Mini Brazil'. And when I asked, they said, 'In our village, football has been played for four generations. Almost 80 national-level players have originated from here. Our whole village is devoted to football'," Modi said.

Asked to pick a football legend

"They told me that during their annual football match, nearly 20,000 to 25,000 individuals come from surrounding villages to witness," he further added. Asked to choose a football legend, PM Modi replied, "During the 1980s one name always used to strike and that was Maradona. For that generation, he was a hero. If you ask the current generation, they'll say Lionel Messi."