When Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil landed in Kolkata on Thursday, the city had its first glimpse of the five-time world champions in nearly five decades. Saturday's friendly against India, at the Salt Lake Stadium, is one of three fixtures in the window. India play Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6, both in Kolkata. One of Bengal's football icons is watching the celebrations from outside.&nbsp;Gautam Sarkar, the former India international and ex-captain of both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, man-marked Pelé on September 24, 1977, says he has not been invited.<h2>The man who marked Pelé</h2>On September 24, 1977, nearly 80,000 fans packed Eden Gardens to watch Pelé's New York Cosmos play Mohun Bagan. Coach P.K. Banerjee gave the midfielder the job of man-marking the Brazilian great. A photograph of Sarkar tackling Pelé made the front pages the next day, and still has pride of place in his home.&nbsp;Pelé noticed. Sarkar later recalled the great man telling him he was the number 14 who "did not allow me to move," and said he was left "awe-struck." A former India international who went on to captain both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, Sarkar told WION that Brazil's visit is "historic." He said, however, that no one has acknowledged him ahead of it.&nbsp;Speaking exclusively to WION, Sarkar welcomed Brazil's arrival.&nbsp;“It is a great moment for all of us,” he said. “Brazil is Brazil. Whether they lose or win doesn't matter; they are five-time champions.”&nbsp;Asked about being left off the guest list, he said: “It doesn’t matter to me, but it is very unfortunate. It is time to recognise our own players as well.”&nbsp;“A long-term project”&nbsp;His message goes beyond personal disappointment. Spectacle, he argues, is no substitute for grassroots investment, proper coaching and club support for young players. He also says political will has been missing.&nbsp;Sarkar's sharper criticism is aimed at how Bengal treats its young players. West Bengal has won the Santosh Trophy 32 times, more than any other team. Yet he says the state that once supplied seven or eight players to the national side now sends only one or two. In 2022, India played a tournament without a single Bengali player for the first time.&nbsp;“Till today, whether from the association, the government sector or the private sector, we have not been able to take any such long-term step,” Sarkar said. “Grassroots-level players, the talent of tomorrow, are still being deprived.”&nbsp;His prescription starts with selection: “It must be impartial and honest.” Then comes grooming.&nbsp;“Basically, honing their skills and grooming them. It is a long-term project. And it should not be fixed only in one particular state.”&nbsp;Asked whether political will was lacking, he replied: “Maybe. Bengal has such an affinity for football that priority must be given. There is a lot of talent in West Bengal”.&nbsp;On the new state government, he urged patience but not complacency.“Only to bring Brazil, only to bring Uruguay is not the solution,” he said. “This is the time we should think about how we are developing our own players.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/family-of-renee-good-killed-in-immigration-crackdown-sues-us-government-and-ice-agent-1790873344147">Family of Renee Good, killed in immigration crackdown, sues US government and ICE agent</a><h2>The compliment of a lifetime</h2>Sarkar still remembers the build-up to 1977.&nbsp;“It was absolutely out of our imagination,” he said. Pelé's side had already played national teams from Korea, China and Japan on the tour, before arriving in Kolkata.&nbsp;His own assignment came with a caveat.&nbsp;“Pelé is not going to stay in one place on a 120 by 80 yard field,” he recalled telling his teammates.&nbsp;After the match, Pelé took the microphone and praised Mohun Bagan's performance. When Sarkar's name was announced, Pelé recognised him as the player wearing number 14. Sarkar says the moment “will really stay with me till my death.”&nbsp;Legendary footballer Chuni Goswami then told him to retire on that high. Sarkar's response was to keep playing.&nbsp;“This compliment has given me great courage and encouragement, so that I will try to continue another 10 years,” he recalled.&nbsp;Sarkar, who once refused to be overawed by Pelé, offers the same advice to today's players. His tip: don't be a fanboy. His larger question is whether the city that celebrates Brazil will invest in the players it needs.

As Brazil returns to Kolkata nearly 50 years after Pelé's visit, former India international Gautam Sarkar recalls marking the football legend and calls for greater recognition and long term investment in Bengal's own football talent.

When Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil landed in Kolkata on Thursday, the city had its first glimpse of the five-time world champions in nearly five decades. Saturday's friendly against India, at the Salt Lake Stadium, is one of three fixtures in the window. India play Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6, both in Kolkata. One of Bengal's football icons is watching the celebrations from outside. Gautam Sarkar, the former India international and ex-captain of both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, man-marked Pelé on September 24, 1977, says he has not been invited. The man who marked Pelé On September 24, 1977, nearly 80,000 fans packed Eden Gardens to watch Pelé's New York Cosmos play Mohun Bagan. Coach P.K. Banerjee gave the midfielder the job of man-marking the Brazilian great. A photograph of Sarkar tackling Pelé made the front pages the next day, and still has pride of place in his home. Pelé noticed. Sarkar later recalled the great man telling him he was the number 14 who "did not allow me to move," and said he was left "awe-struck." A former India international who went on to captain both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, Sarkar told WION that Brazil's visit is "historic." He said, however, that no one has acknowledged him ahead of it. Speaking exclusively to WION, Sarkar welcomed Brazil's arrival. “It is a great moment for all of us,” he said. “Brazil is Brazil. Whether they lose or win doesn't matter; they are five-time champions.” Asked about being left off the guest list, he said: “It doesn’t matter to me, but it is very unfortunate. It is time to recognise our own players as well.” “A long-term project” His message goes beyond personal disappointment. Spectacle, he argues, is no substitute for grassroots investment, proper coaching and club support for young players. He also says political will has been missing. Sarkar's sharper criticism is aimed at how Bengal treats its young players. West Bengal has won the Santosh Trophy 32 times, more than any other team. Yet he says the state that once supplied seven or eight players to the national side now sends only one or two. In 2022, India played a tournament without a single Bengali player for the first time. “Till today, whether from the association, the government sector or the private sector, we have not been able to take any such long-term step,” Sarkar said. “Grassroots-level players, the talent of tomorrow, are still being deprived.” His prescription starts with selection: “It must be impartial and honest.” Then comes grooming. “Basically, honing their skills and grooming them. It is a long-term project. And it should not be fixed only in one particular state.” Asked whether political will was lacking, he replied: “Maybe. Bengal has such an affinity for football that priority must be given. There is a lot of talent in West Bengal”. On the new state government, he urged patience but not complacency. “Only to bring Brazil, only to bring Uruguay is not the solution,” he said. “This is the time we should think about how we are developing our own players.” Also Read: Family of Renee Good, killed in immigration crackdown, sues US government and ICE agent The compliment of a lifetime Sarkar still remembers the build-up to 1977. “It was absolutely out of our imagination,” he said. Pelé's side had already played national teams from Korea, China and Japan on the tour, before arriving in Kolkata. His own assignment came with a caveat. “Pelé is not going to stay in one place on a 120 by 80 yard field,” he recalled telling his teammates. After the match, Pelé took the microphone and praised Mohun Bagan's performance. When Sarkar's name was announced, Pelé recognised him as the player wearing number 14. Sarkar says the moment “will really stay with me till my death.” Legendary footballer Chuni Goswami then told him to retire on that high. Sarkar's response was to keep playing. “This compliment has given me great courage and encouragement, so that I will try to continue another 10 years,” he recalled. Sarkar, who once refused to be overawed by Pelé, offers the same advice to today's players. His tip: don't be a fanboy. His larger question is whether the city that celebrates Brazil will invest in the players it needs.

As Brazil returns to Kolkata nearly 50 years after Pelé's visit, former India international Gautam Sarkar recalls marking the football legend and calls for greater recognition and long-term investment in Bengal's own football talent.

Fifty years after Pelé, Kolkata hosts Brazil. Where is Bengal's own football legacy?

A date for the history books! In a massive step towards reigniting love for football in the country, India will host five-time world champions Brazil for an international friendly on October 3 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The two federations, while confirming this development, jointly acknowledged in their statement the fanbase Brazil has in India. Indian football fans will now have a chance to catch a glimpse of the Selecao playing in India in a dream move.&nbsp;“It will be a special encounter with a country that hosts the largest international fanbase of the Brazilian National Team and that, for generations, has followed the history of Brazilian football with immense affection and passion. We are eager to live this moment alongside millions of Indian fans!” said the CBF of Brazil’s much-anticipated tour of India for an international friendly.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Da Austrália para a Índia 🇧🇷🇮🇳 A agenda da Seleção Brasileira continua. Depois dos amistosos na Austrália, nosso próximo destino será a Índia, onde escreveremos um capítulo inédito da nossa história. No dia 3 de outubro, a Seleção entrará em campo pela primeira vez em solo… <a href="https://t.co/UNbhtNU3we">pic.twitter.com/UNbhtNU3we</a>&mdash; brasil (@CBF_Futebol) <a href="https://x.com/CBF_Futebol/status/2082843656415826338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nobody-is-selling-football-fifa-clarifies-investment-plan-amid-backlash-1785481921488">'Nobody is selling football': FIFA clarifies investment plan amid backlash</a>&nbsp;After a disappointing World Cup campaign in North America, where they exited the tournament in the Round of 16 after losing 2-1 to Norway, Brazil will face Australia in two scheduled friendlies in Townsville (September 25) and Brisbane (September 29) before flying to India for their third and final friendly of this window. &nbsp;Meanwhile, for India, this is the first time they are facing a team ranked in the top five FIFA rankings, with Brazil currently placed fifth. Never before have they hosted a team of Brazil’s stature, let alone having faced them in any capacity before. Although India doesn’t participate in tournaments featuring Brazil, Brazil’s cultural significance has prompted an unlikely crossover this year. &nbsp;The AIFF, on the other hand, said that Brazil’s legacy has ‘inspired generations of footballers across the world, including millions of passionate supporters in India.’ &nbsp;“India is known for having one of the largest Brazilian fan bases outside of Brazil.” &nbsp;“To welcome a team of Brazil’s stature to our country is an extraordinary moment and one that will undoubtedly become a landmark chapter in the history of Indian football,” said M Satyanarayan, AIFF deputy secretary general.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A date for the history books. 🇮🇳🤝🇧🇷 <a href="https://t.co/Sj7zneeHnv">pic.twitter.com/Sj7zneeHnv</a>&mdash; Indian Football (@IndianFootball) <a href="https://x.com/IndianFootball/status/2082844299583217758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Will Brazilian stars feature against India?</h2>Neymar, Brazil’s all-time top-scorer, who confirmed his international retirement following the country’s disappointing World Cup run, is reported to have promised a farewell match by the CBF; however, Kolkata remains an unlikely venue for that, which rules out his presence for the historic friendly. &nbsp;While it remains unclear whether Carlo Ancelotti will bring his A-team to the friendly, he has recently made it clear that players such as Danilo, Casemiro, and Neymar are no longer part of his plans. Ancelotti will aim to build a team for the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. &nbsp;“I think that this World Cup brings a generation of very important players to an end,” Ancelotti said to local publication O Globo. “Starting with Neymar, also Danilo and Casemiro, all of these players who were over 30 at the World Cup. &nbsp;“We are going to look at new players who can come in. I won’t say specifically for the World Cup in 2030, but who can already be competitive for our first objective, which is the Copa America in 2028,” he said.

India faces five-time champions Brazil in a historic football friendly in Kolkata on October 3. Get match details, venue info, and squad updates.

A date for the history books! In a massive step towards reigniting love for football in the country, India will host five-time world champions Brazil for an international friendly on October 3 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The two federations, while confirming this development, jointly acknowledged in their statement the fanbase Brazil has in India. Indian football fans will now have a chance to catch a glimpse of the Selecao playing in India in a dream move. “It will be a special encounter with a country that hosts the largest international fanbase of the Brazilian National Team and that, for generations, has followed the history of Brazilian football with immense affection and passion. We are eager to live this moment alongside millions of Indian fans!” said the CBF of Brazil’s much-anticipated tour of India for an international friendly.

India faces five-time champions Brazil in a historic football friendly in Kolkata on October 3. Get match details, venue info, and squad updates.

Brazil Coming to Kolkata: India to face football giant in friendly on October 3

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Fifty years after Pelé, Kolkata hosts Brazil. Where is Bengal's own football legacy?

Brazil Coming to Kolkata: India to face football giant in friendly on October 3