Real Madrid Takes Over Barcelona’s Football Academies in India, Bringing New Opportunities for Young Footballers
Starting in the first week of August, Real Madrid will take over and transform the landscape of youth football training in India by managing 30 youth academies across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune. This new initiative will train 4,500 enthusiastic young players under the Educational Football Program, following the closure of Barcelona’s football academies in the country. Excitement and Vision Real Madrid legend Emilio Butragueno, who currently works as the club’s Director of Institutional Relations, expressed his excitement about this new venture. “We are excited to bring Real Madrid’s rich football heritage and world-class training methodologies to India. This initiative aims to inspire and develop young football talent, fostering a new generation of football stars,” Butragueno said. With a storied history of producing top-tier talent like Raul and Iker Casillas through its academy, La Fabrica, Real Madrid is poised to impact the future of Indian football. Closure of Barcelona’s Academies Barcelona, in June 2024 announced on its website that it would be ceasing operations of its academies in India from July 1, 2024, leaving many young footballers in uncertainty. “FC Barcelona have informed the families involved in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Pune will cease to operate as Barca Academies from 1 July 2024,” the club stated. “Barcelona’s presence in India began back in 2010 and since then thousands of youngsters have learned to play football in the Barca style and with the Club’s values.” Opportunities for Indian Youth Real Madrid’s takeover of these academies offers a beacon of hope for the young athletes. These players will now have the opportunity to participate in international age-group tournaments such as the Singa Cup in Singapore, the Super Cup in Dubai and the Asia Pacific Cup in India. This international exposure is expected to be instrumental in the growth and development of the young players. Partnership with Conscient Sports Kriti Jain Gupta, Director of Conscient Sports, which is the exclusive partner of Real Madrid in India, commented on the partnership. “This collaboration will elevate the football training landscape in India, providing young players with unparalleled opportunities to grow and excel,” she said. In addition to high-quality training in India, select players from these academies will have the chance to travel to Spain to participate in the RMF Clinic and Challenge Cup at the Real Madrid facility. Expert Coaching Team The new coaching team will comprise professionals from the Real Madrid Foundation, Conscient Football, and multiple Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and All India Football Federation (AIFF) licensed coaches. This blend of expertise aims to provide the best training methodologies and practices to the young footballers in India. A Bright Future for Indian Football With Real Madrid’s rich football heritage and comprehensive training programs, this initiative is set to inspire and cultivate the next generation of football stars in India, promising a bright future for aspiring young players. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Shame on You Qatar, This is Blatant Cheating
The word ‘cheating’ has been trending on X for the past 12 hours or so. It is not often, Indian football makes news for something controversial. On Tuesday, Qatar, ranked 31st in FIFA ranking, had to cheat to topple an inspiring India, who emerged victorious, even though the final scoreline read 1-0.Qatar’s equaliser against India in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Controversial Decision in India vs Qatar Match Leaves Fans OutragedFootball fans are furious after a controversial decision allowed Qatar’s equaliser against India in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. The incident happened during the second half of the match at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. The ControversyIn the 73rd minute, Abdullah Alahrak took a free-kick that led to Yousef Aymen attempting a header, which was saved by India’s goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. As Sandhu lay on the ground, thinking the ball had gone out of play, Hashmi Hussein kicked it back into play, allowing Aymen to score. Despite protests from the Indian team, the referee allowed the goal, causing widespread outrage. A video of the incident is going viral on social media, with many fans expressing their anger. The controversial goal has sparked a debate about the quality of refereeing in important international matches. Qatar’s Victory and India’s DisappointmentQatar won the match 2-1, ending India’s hopes of reaching the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. With this loss, India also missed out on automatic qualification for the AFC Asian Cup 2027. India initially took the lead with a goal from Lallianzuala Chhangte in the 37th minute. However, the controversial decision to allow Aymen’s goal disrupted India’s momentum. Qatar then scored their second goal through Ahmed Al-Rawi in the 85th minute. Many Indian fans took to Twitter to express their outrage, sharing videos and analyses that they claimed clearly showed the goal should not have counted. Fans called it an open robbery for what Qatar did. Poor referee decisions can unfairly affect the outcome of a match and ruin the spirit of fair play. In this particular game, Qatar’s behaviour was not in line with the true spirit of the sport. Their unsportsmanlike moves, which disappointed many fans who value fairness and sportsmanship in football. The game between India and Qatar in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers should be considered as a warning that the governing bodies need to address these issues to maintain the integrity of the game. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Is Sunil Chhetri India’s Richest Footballer?
One more legend walks into the sunset. It was an emotional night for arguably, India’s best footballer ever Sunil Chhetri. The match ended in a goalless draw, but for Indian fans, the result was secondary. The great man couldn’t control his tears and along with him cried millions of football fans. The day was a long time coming, but when was the question? In the early hours of May 16, 2024, Chhetri posted a video on his official X channel, with the caption – ‘I’d like to say something…’ Many would have guessed it right, but even then, there were several, others, who didn’t want to hear it. At 39 years of age, and having represented India in 151 matches, Sunil Chhetri decided to hang his boots. Here’s the video. After Chhetri announced that the June 6th game against Kuwait, a FIFA World Cup qualifier, would be his last international appearance for the Blue Tigers, the support was unbelievable one. The match played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal had 58,000 supporters just to cheer for Chhetri. Even, some of the greats couldn’t help themselves but salute the champion footballer. Is Chhetri, the richest Indian footballer? Emotion-wise, yes, but if one talks about the net worth, then Sunil Chhetri isn’t the richest footballer in India. As per the latest report, Chhetri’s net worth is around USD 1.5 million (Rs 12.30 Crore). However, the richest footballer in India is Gouramangi Singh Moirangthem, with a reported net worth of USD 5 million (Rs 41 Crore). Singh is a former professional footballer who represented India in 71 matches between 2006 and 2013. He currently serves as an assistant coach of the ISL club Goa, having called time on his playing days in 2019. Talking of Chhetri, his major source of earnings comes from the ISL, where he plays for Bengaluru FC. He earns close to Rs 10 Lakh per match, and his expected earnings for a year, comes close to Rs 1 Crore. Chhetri is ahead of Singh in terms of goal-scoring for the Blues but trails when it comes to net worth. Even his teammate and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has a net worth of Rs 30 Crore. This is nearly 2.5 times Chhetri’s net worth. Former men’s football team skipper Baichung Bhutia has a net worth of Rs 5 Crore, again better than Chhetri. It seems like post-retirement, Chhetri has a lot more catching to do and score big off the pitch to even come close to his ex-teammates bank balance and net worth.
Sunil Chhetri Retirement: India’s Star Forward 94 Goals Breakdown
The spotlight will shine brightly on India’s upcoming World Cup qualifier match against Kuwait on June 6, 2024. The anticipation is palpable as this game marks the swansong of Sunil Chhetri, the esteemed captain of the Indian men’s football team. Chhetri, a stalwart in Indian football, last month announced his retirement from international football. The announcement added an emotional layer to this significant fixture. Having made his debut against Pakistan in 2005, Chhetri has left an indelible mark on Indian football, having graced the field in 150 matches for the Blue Tigers. His illustrious career boasts an impressive record of 94 goals, a feat unparalleled by any other Indian player. As we reflect on his remarkable journey, it’s fitting to delve into the intricacies of his goal-scoring prowess against various opponents at the international level. ONE GOALAgainst Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Bahrain, Macau, North Korea, Palestine, Philippines, Cameroon, Curacao, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and Vanuatu, Chhetri has netted a solitary goal against each. While Chhetri has found the back of the net against many nations, there are 16 countries where he has yet to register a goal, underscoring the challenges and dynamics of international football. TWO GOALSFurther illuminating his goal-scoring ability, Chhetri has notched two goals against some quality opponents such as Syria, Oman, and Thailand. His ability to find the net against such opponents speaks volumes about his tenacity and skill as a striker. THREE GOALSChhetri’s scoring record reveals three goals apiece against Myanmar, Malaysia, Guam, Bhutan, and Vietnam. FOUR GOALSIn encounters against Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kenya, Chhetri has been particularly lethal, netting four goals against each. Notably, his debut international goal against Pakistan set the stage for a stellar career filled with numerous memorable moments. FIVE GOALSAgainst Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Cambodia, Chhetri has showcased his goal-scoring ability with five goals against each opponent, further solidifying his status as a prolific striker. SIX GOALSChhetri has scored six goals against Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei, with Chhetri displaying both quantity and consistency across multiple appearances. EIGHT GOALSThe Maldives stands out as another formidable opponent against whom Chhetri has scored eight goals in six appearances. His inaugural goals against the Maldives in 2011 marked the beginning of a prolific scoring record against this opponent. NINE GOALSFinally, Nepal emerges as Chhetri’s most prolific adversary, with nine goals scored in 13 appearances. This remarkable statistic highlights Chhetri’s contributions against formidable opponents. As we bid farewell to this legend of Indian football, Sunil Chhetri’s goal-scoring exploits against various nations will be a force to be reckoned with for the athletes rising to the occasion in the future. Also Read: The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Sunil Chhetri’s Fitness Recipe: Fitness Routine & Diet Plan
Sunil Chhetri‘s name is synonymous with football in India. With the football icon announcing his retirement, the former captain of the Indian football team is one of the leading athletes in the country and is fighting tooth and nail to make Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi loving fans, sit back and take notice of his blue brigade. Moreover, Sunil Chhetri fitness at the age of 39 is an inspiration for many Indian athletes. Also read: https://thesportzplanet.com/sunil-chhetri-retires-career-in-numbers-records-achievements/ Did you know the 39-year-old is third on the list, just behind football stalwarts, Messi and Ronaldo when it comes to top goal scorers in the world. Chhetri has scored 94 goals in 150 international games. The Indian legend gives a lot into his fitness and could give any youngster a run for his money. Let us take a look at what his fitness routine looks like. Sunil Chhetri’s Fitness RoutineIn football, you don’t have breaks like in cricket. You have to keep running for the full 90 minutes. It’s tough for players to stay fit, but the Indian football captain makes sure he hits the gym every day to stay in shape. In an interview with Mans World India, Chhetri said, “I love doing speed training drills, which is an important aspect of my game, and high-intensity workouts. There are also two major requirements for football. I train six days a week. Taking a day off allows your body to heal, as your muscles need to cool off.” Chhetri enjoys strengthening his quadriceps muscles, and he also pays attention to his hamstrings, abs, and shoulders. Besides his gym workouts, he likes cycling, which has not only improved his leg muscles but also boosted his stamina. Chettri loves swimming. He so far has been regularly hitting the pool which helps them to rejuvenate and recover. Sunil Chhetri Fitness: Diet PlanFor athletes, a proper diet is crucial, and Chhetri ensures he eats well to stay fit. He begins his day by drinking a bottle of water right after waking up. This helps flush toxins from his body and keeps him hydrated. Breakfast Before training, Chhetri eats a meal that includes oatmeal with nuts, boiled eggs, and fresh juice in the morning. Then, about an hour after his workout, he has a big breakfast. This includes brown bread, broccoli, chickpeas, sushi, black olives, tuna fish, and red meat. LunchFor lunch, Chhetri has a plate of green vegetables and boiled veggies along with either fish or chicken steak. DinnerChhetri keeps his dinner simple with rotis, dal, a bowl of vegetables, and either chicken, fish, or cottage cheese. Before bed, he has a protein shake. On cheat days, he treats himself to spaghetti carbonara or biriyani. And on weekends, he enjoys pizzas and burgers. His all-time favorite dish is his mom’s mutton curry. Sunil Chhetri Fitness Tips“It is very important to wake up early in the morning to start your day with great energy. Sound sleep for at least 7 hours a day is a must,” Chhetri revealed in an interview with TOI.“Mornings are a time when you should keep your mind free and not overthink. The mind should be easy and at peace,” he added. Chhetri advised his fans to stay positive in life and try to indulge in some physical activity. “Go for a run, walk, or jog. Stay connected to your loved ones, they will be your greatest strengths.” The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
Sunil Chhetri Retires, Is Virat Kohli next-in-line?
Two of the fittest athletes India has ever produced—Sunil Chhetri and Virat Kohli—made headlines on May 16, 2024. The topic was “RETIREMENT”. While one announced it, the other revealed what his future plans were. Both these legends are very close friends, but left their fans shell shocked with their respective announcements and comments. First let’s talk about Virat Kohli.Amidst the speculations of his retirement from the shortest format of the game post the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Indian cricket mainstay and former RCB Captain Virat Kohli spilled beans on his post retirement plans. He said he’ll take a nice, long break before deciding what to do next. Kohli in his recent interview said, “Once I am done, you won’t see me for a while..” The video surfaced on the social media just after Indian football sensation and Virat Kohli’s long time good friend, Sunil Chhetri took to the social media to announce his international retirement. Also Read: https://thesportzplanet.com/sunil-chhetri-retires-career-in-numbers-records-achievements/ Virat Kohli also demonstrated friendship goals as he took to his instagram comments section praising Chhetri’s illustrious career. Commenting on Chhetri’s video post on Instagram, Kohli wrote : “My brother. Proud.” IMG : Kohli’s Comment On Chhetri’s Retirement Post Despite being from different sports, Virat Kohli and Sunil Chhetri foster a strong bond and respect for each other. They support each other on and off the field, cheering for each other’s successes and offering encouragement during tough times and even cheering for their respective clubs. Their friendship goes beyond their professions, as they often spend time together outside of their sports, sharing laughs and experiences. Kohli and Chhetri show that true friendship can flourish between people from different backgrounds and interests. Apart from this, both the athletes possess roughly similar fitness goals and also possess core loyalty towards Bengaluru when it comes to franchise sport tournaments. Kohli’s Career In A Nutshell It’s been more than 14 years now that Virat Kohli has been playing international cricket. Since making his debut for India in 2008, Kohli has achieved remarkable success. With over 80 international centuries to his name, including 29 in Test matches and 50 in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and one in T20 Internationals, he has consistently dominated the cricketing world. Kohli has amassed over 26,733 runs across all formats of the game, making him one of the most prolific run-scorers in cricket history. He holds numerous records, such as being the fastest player to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 runs in ODI cricket. Kohli’s leadership skills are also noteworthy, having captained the Indian cricket team with distinction. His commitment to fitness and relentless pursuit of excellence have earned him widespread admiration. As one of cricket’s modern icons, Virat Kohli’s extraordinary career continues to inspire millions of fans around the world. However with his retirement speculations and his recent statement in the media, the question looms, is India ready for the post Virat Kohli era? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
Sunil Chhetri’s Football Career in Numbers, Records & Achievements
Indian football icon, Sunil Chhetri has declared to hang up his boots. He would be playing his last fixture in the national colours in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier against Kuwait on June 06th, 2024. The team’s captain, who has been with them for a long time, shared his decision in a video on his social media. CHHETRI’S RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT “The feel that I recollect in the last 19 years is a very nice combination of duty, pressure and immense joy,” the 39-year-old Chhetri said while announcing his decision to retire. Let’s quickly go through a couple of records and achievements in his 19 year illustrious career. Chhetri ranks third on the chart of the top goal scorers in the world. He’s just behind Messi and Ronaldo. He scored a hat-trick against Pakistan and moved up to fourth place in the list of all-time top scorers in international soccer, passing Mokhtar Dahari. He scored 15 of his 90 goals from penalty kicks, with Nepal and Maldives being his favourite opponents. Chhetri started his international career in 2005 with a goal against Pakistan and became the first Indian player to be among the top 10 international goal scorers. He played for several clubs like Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mumbai City FC, scoring over 140 goals. Though he briefly played for clubs abroad like the Kansas City Wizards and Sporting Club Portugal, he’s mostly known for his time at Bengaluru FC. He’s won many awards and trophies during his career. Here’s Sunil Chhetri’s International Goals Tournament-Wise. TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES GOALS SAFF Championship 27 23 Friendlies 40 19 Intercontinental Cup (Friendly League) 11 13 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 23 10 Nehru Cup (Friendly League) 14 9 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers 12 8 AFC Challenge Cup 8 4 AFC Asian Cup 5 4 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers 6 3 King’s Cup (Friendly League) 1 1 Asian Games 2 1 Chhetri doesn’t just score against weaker teams; he’s also scored against tough opponents like Kenya, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Afghanistan. His goals often come in important matches, helping India win or get important points. Here’s a list of Sunil Chhetri’s Appearances and Goals Against Different Opponents OPPONENTS APPEARANCES GOALS Maldives 6 8 Nepal 13 9 Chinese Taipei 5 6 Bangladesh 7 7 Cambodia 3 5 Tajikistan 5 5 Kenya 2 4 Kyrgyz Republic 4 4 Pakistan 7 4 Afghanistan 10 5 Mayanmar 5 3 Bhutan 2 3 Vietnam 2 3 Guam 3 3 Lebanon 6 3 Syria 6 2 Malaysia 4 3 Oman 5 2 Thailand 3 2 Sri Lanka 3 1 Bahrain 2 1 South Korea 1 1 Cameroon 1 1 Philippines 2 1 Palestine 2 1 Puerto Rico 1 1 Macao 2 1 New Zealand 1 1 Curacao 1 1 Hong Kong 1 1 Vanuatu 1 1 South Korea 1 1 Kuwait 2 1 Chhetri’s goal scoring ability shows how good he is and how long he’s been playing for India. He’s been scoring regularly for many years against different teams, which proves how vital he is to the national team and how he’s one of India’s best players ever. Throughout his career, Chhetri has won many top awards: – Arjuna Award – 2011– Padma Shri Award – 2019.– Khel Ratna Award – 2021.– AIFF Player of the Year Award – 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018-19.– FPAI Indian Player of the Year – 2009, 2018, and 2019.– SAFF Championship Player of the Tournament – 2011, 2015, and 2021.– SAFF Championship Top Scorer – 2011, 2021, and 2023.– Hero of the Intercontinental Cup – 2018 Sunil Chhetri’s success in international football has not only made him popular in India but also gained him respect globally. As he chooses to retire from international matches, his reputation as a top goal-scorer and a role model for young Indian footballers remains strong. His path from a promising young player to the captain of the national team and its top scorer is a tale of determination, dedication, and exceptional talent. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
