Virat Kohli turns 31: Team India captain's tryst with football

Fun fact - the men's Indian cricket team has been known to indulge in a fair bit of football, often using it as a warm-up routine or a team-building exercise. And why not? Some parallels can be drawn between the two sports - both requiring the co-ordination of 11 players on the pitch at some point or another. It is only logical, therefore, that some sportspersons have been involved in both these sports; none more so than the Indian cricket team captain, Virat Kohli. As Virat Kohli turns 31, here's a look at the connection between Kohli and football.

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Kohli's football affair

Virat Kohli is the co-owner of ISL's FC Goa team. His passion for the sport of football, therefore, remains no secret. Kohli has often spoken about the potential of football in India. In an interview with FIFA, Kohli said that since the potential of football in India is huge, thanks to an extensive fanbase, it would be amazing to see football grow and reach to a whole new level. Kohli was also all praise for the captain of the Indian football team, Sunil Chhetri. In the same interview, Kohli went on to say that with the number of teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup increased to 48, the possibility of the participation of the Indian football team in such a prestigious event was not a farfetched thought. 

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In attendance of his team FC Goa's game against ATK, Kohli stated that he has always followed football. He also went on to say that cricketers love to play the sport since football is easy to get acquainted with. However, the Indian cricket team captain stated that the only way to maximise the potential of football in India was to ensure that a sporting culture is developed across the country. Kohli also applauded the effect that the ISL has had on increasing the viewership of the sport in the country. Kohli's love for football has always been apparent, with the Indian captain also having some thoughts on the two greatest players to have graced the sport of football - Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. When asked for his thoughts on the two players, Kohli said that if he could have one of the two on his team, it would be Cristiano Ronaldo for the intensity he brings into the team. 

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