Indian icon Arnold Rodrigues presenting an award to Kerala player in the KIFF League.

KUWAIT CITY, May 1: Ask football fans to name the best ever Indian midfielder, and chances are they will come up with the name Arnold Rodrigues, even if they are too young to have ever seen him play.

The name speaks volumes about the legend. Many considered Arnold one of India’s greatest ever midfield player.

The legendary footballer, a Salgaocar-Goa and India international star in the 70s and 80s, was on a personal visit to Kuwait along with his son Michael. The footballer having his roots in Goa lives with his wife Melissa and family in London since 1985 after he attained British citizenship.

Arnold watched some of the on-going Kuwait Indian Football Federation (KIFF) League matches played at Bayan Grounds.

“Goans and Keralites have always been dynamic footballers,” stated Arnold, “It is good to see the two communities shining in keeping Indian football so vibrant this part of the world.”

An ardent Liverpool fan, Arnold further expressed, “It is my dream to see some of our Indian footballers rise to play in the English Premier League someday.”

A number of people, past friends, classmates and fans of Arnold were present to see the star. Arnold’s Salgaocar SC colleagues Anthony Rebello and Sarto Baptista, former Salgaocar players Avelino Dias and Gasper Crasto were among those present.

Recalling their playing days, Anthony Rebello said, “Arnold had a ‘robotic mind’ and magnetic legs, the ball just stuck to his feet. More than anything else, he had ‘devotional’ commitment towards football.”

“I feel proud to have known and played with the legend, he was the best during our era!” said Avelino Dias, a former Junior International goalkeeper.

“Arnold was a mesmerizing midfielder with tremendous ball control and stamina,” quoted Sarto adding, “it is difficult to see players of his calibre in Indian football nowadays.”

Soccer Kerala coach Biju Johny said, “It was an honor to meet such an iconic Indian legend, and know so much about him.”

Another long-time Kerala footballer and organizer Robert Bernard immediately whisked Arnold to be a chief guest for the inaugural Kerala District Football tournament organized by Kerala Expats Football Association Kuwait (KEFAK). He later said, “Our community was delighted by Arnold’s historic past and his presence at our tournament!”

Arnold played for Salgaocars Goa from 1974 and 1984, he was a ‘cunning midfielder’ and dazzled wherever he played.

One of the star players for Goa in Santosh Trophy tournaments, Arnold’s performance at the 1984 Madras Nationals where Goa won the championship, remains most notable while his representation in India colors was equally glorious.

Hailing from Orlim, Salcete, Goa, Arnold was born in Tanzania, the son of Augusto and Betty Rodrigues. He has been working as a chief accountant for the Oman Embassy in UK last 30 years.

An alumni of Monte de Guirim school in Bardez, Goa, Arnold’s overwhelming debut as a ‘senior’ footballer had quickly resulted in finding a place in the Goa national team and a spot in the Indian squad.

The legendary star was a regular for Goa and the National team continuously for almost 10 years.  He left the Indian shores while he was still at his peak, his last stint being the Team India tour of Tinidad, Tobago, Barbados, Surinam and Guyana.

Speaking about his life over the years, the humble footballer states, “Life has been wonderful all through, however memories of my football days back in India, and my identity as a footballer surpasses all my triumphs and achievements.”

A brief profile of Arnold Rodrigues:

Teams Played:

1971~1972  —  Mapusa Youth; 1972~1974  — Panvel SC (2 years); 1974~1984  — Salgaocar SC (10 years); 1984~1989 — Croydon FC (UK); 1995~2004  — Simba SC (Goan Club in UK).

Senior nationals for Goa (Santosh Trophy)

1975 — Calicut, Kerala; 1976 — Patna, Bihar; 1977 — Calcutta, West Bengal; 1978  — Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir; 1979 — Coimbatore, Kerala; 1980 — Cuttack, Orissa; 1981 — Trichur, Kerala; 1983 — Calcutta, West Bengal; 1984 — Madras, Tamil Nadu.

Internationals:

1977 — Goodwill tour to Zambia; 1977 — Kings Cup, Bangkok; 1983 — President Cup, Dhaka; 1983 — Super Soccer, New Delhi; 1984 — Goodwill tour to Tinidad, Tobago, Barbados, Surinam, Guyana.

Achievements:

Won two Gold medals for Best Midfielder of the Tournament, and Best Player of the Santosh Trophy — 1984.

Coaching License:

English FA Coach Level 1 & 2.