Sourav Ganguly says Brazil, Uruguay matches will help Indian football grow

Sourav Ganguly said matches against footballing nations such as Brazil, Uruguay and Panama would provide Indian players valuable exposure. The former India cricket captain stressed that regular competition against stronger international teams, rather than occasional fixtures, is crucial for improving Indian football

Hyderabad: Sourav Ganguly, former captain of the Indian cricket team and former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said upcoming matches involving teams such as Brazil, Uruguay and Panama would provide Indian footballers with a valuable opportunity to compete against stronger international opponents, which is crucial for the growth of the game.

With Brazil, Uruguay and Panama set to visit India, Ganguly described the opportunity as a significant step towards giving Indian footballers much-needed exposure at the highest level.

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Having spent more than a decade representing India against the best teams in world cricket and later playing a key role in shaping Indian cricket administration, Ganguly believes regular competition against superior opponents is crucial for a team’s development.

“It’s good. Why wouldn’t it be good to play football against big teams?” Ganguly said when asked about the importance of such international fixtures for Indian football.

However, the former India captain stressed that exposure to top teams should not remain limited to occasional matches or special events. According to him, Indian players need consistent opportunities throughout the year to test themselves against stronger opposition.

“This needs to happen throughout the year so that players get proper exposure. I always believe that playing against teams better than yourself helps improve your own game,” he said.

Drawing a comparison with cricket, Ganguly pointed to the importance of regularly competing against world-class opposition. Indian cricket’s growth, he believes, has been shaped by the constant challenge of playing leading teams across different conditions and formats.

“Look at cricket, they play against top-quality teams all year round, which is why they get better. The same approach needs to be applied here,” he said.

The former captain also expressed hope that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) would continue to create a stronger and more consistent international calendar for Indian football.

Coming from one of Indian sport’s most respected voices, Ganguly’s message carries particular weight. His belief is simple: Indian footballers can only raise their standards when they are regularly challenged by the best.

While emphasising that such exposure needs to become a regular part of India’s footballing journey, Ganguly views the visits of footballing powerhouses such as Brazil and Uruguay as an important step in the right direction.