FIFA boss Gianni Infantino couldn’t hold back his admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s love for the beautiful game. Sharing a vibrant photo on Instagram Wednesday of Modi playing football with Sikkim kids, Infantino wrote, ‘Great to see PM Modi playing our beautiful game. Football truly unites the world.’
The images stem from Modi’s Tuesday outing in Gangtok, where he dove into a fun football session with young athletes. Posting on X, Modi gushed, ‘Nothing like a lovely morning in Gangtok playing football with young friends.’ He followed up with, ‘An energetic football session with the youth.’
The two leaders share a storied rapport from international meets. Back in 2018 at Argentina’s G20, Infantino presented Modi with a custom jersey bearing his name. Modi responded enthusiastically: ‘Coming to Argentina, thinking of football is inevitable. Argentine stars are beloved in India. Grateful to FIFA’s Gianni Infantino for this jersey.’ They reconvened in Kuwait last December.
In India, football thrives vibrantly in the Northeast, eclipsing cricket in states like Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram, and Meghalaya. Modi’s participation highlights government commitment to sports development in these regions, aligning with FIFA’s regional growth initiatives.
Infantino’s public nod not only celebrates Modi’s enthusiasm but also spotlights football’s unifying force. As India eyes greater global presence in the sport, such endorsements from FIFA’s top brass could fuel investments and talent scouting, promising a brighter future for Indian football.
