Brazil has shared a rich football connection with India. One of the country’s greatest players, Pele, visited India twice. In 1997, he arrived with New York Cosmos to play a historic match against Mohun Bagan. Over the years, many Brazilian players have played in India. Ronaldinho and Cafu played exhibition all-star matches, while Roberto Carlos, a member of Brazil’s 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, played for the Delhi Dynamos in the Indian Super League (ISL). 2007 Copa America winner Elano Blumer claimed the ISL Golden Boot in the league’s inaugural season. Brazilian greats Zico and Lucio were also associated with FC Goa.
