Football Legend Lothar Matthaus Unveiled As Bengal Super League Ambassador

Matthaus, who captained Germany to their 1990 FIFA World Cup victory and is the recipient of the Ballon d’Or in the same year, said: “To make it a success, we must work hard, move forward together and understand how each of us can contribute. I will bring all my expertise and experience to support this initiative, but it can only be achieved through teamwork by combining our quality, strength, and energy. As we say, think locally, act globally, and we will see the impact worldwide."

The BSL, launched in July, is set to kick off later this year with eight franchise-based teams representing key district clusters across West Bengal.

The tournament can help bridge the gap between the Kolkata-heavy Calcutta Football League (CFL), one of the oldest in the world, and the football-starved districts of the state.

Matches will be hosted across four district venues and the league ‘aims to provide a professional platform for emerging footballers, blending Bengal’s rich football legacy with a modern and global framework’.

The BSL will feature Sundarban Bengal TVS FC, Burdwan Blasters, Gaurbanga FC, Adamas 24 Parganas FC, Kopa Tigers Bolpur, North Bengal United FC, Howrah Warriors, and Bidhannagar FC.

Germany To Learn Cricket From India

Matthaus sounded positive about the new league, while not entirely certain of the realities of the sport in India.

“Very happy to have this relationship because we have this experience (in football) and you have the experience in cricket. India can probably learn football from Germany, maybe the Germans can learn cricket in the future from India," he said.

Matthaus harped on the same message every Indian football fan has possibly been hearing for over 3 decades: Work on grassroots, have more coaches, and invest in youth.

At one point the German legend himself announced: “I cannot say we German or some German guy is coming to India and change football in India. This is not possible."

When Sanjay Sen, a national title and I-League-winning coach, pointed out how a league like the BSL, with just three under-19 players and most of the players will be well into their mid-20s, Matthaus appeared tongue-tied, before murmuring, “maybe you have to fix that."

He continued, “I don’t know the quality of the players. The most important for a footballer, especially for a young player, is to get practice, practice in the competition, not a training session under a coach."

Before adding his suggestions, Matthaus said he wants to come down to Kolkata for a better understanding. “I like to come as soon as possible to India to get a little bit of a feeling for the football. Sure, you have a lot of championships, you have your players, but I have to understand the football in India," he said.

Matthaus promised to be in the city by next month.

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