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Sports
Forlan: Kolkata's football passion mirrors India's cricket craze
✍️ National Herald
🗓 06 Oct 2026, 08:38 AM
👁 9
Uruguayan football legend Diego Forlan has noted that Kolkata's intense passion for the sport is comparable to the widespread cricket craze across India.
Renowned Uruguayan footballer Diego Forlan has highlighted the deep-rooted football culture in Kolkata, drawing a parallel between the city's fervor for the sport and the national obsession with cricket in India.
Forlan, who is well-versed with the footballing landscape of the region, observed that the emotional connection Kolkata residents share with football is unique. He noted that the intensity of support and the passion displayed by fans in the city are on par with the widespread enthusiasm for cricket seen across the country.
The comment underscores the significance of Kolkata as a major hub for football in India, where the sport enjoys a status that rivals that of cricket in other parts of the nation. Forlan's remarks serve as a testament to the enduring popularity of football in the eastern part of India.
Forlan, who is well-versed with the footballing landscape of the region, observed that the emotional connection Kolkata residents share with football is unique. He noted that the intensity of support and the passion displayed by fans in the city are on par with the widespread enthusiasm for cricket seen across the country.
The comment underscores the significance of Kolkata as a major hub for football in India, where the sport enjoys a status that rivals that of cricket in other parts of the nation. Forlan's remarks serve as a testament to the enduring popularity of football in the eastern part of India.