During his conversation with American podcaster Lex Fridman on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed his pick for the greatest footballer of all time. Acknowledging India’s deep-rooted football culture, Modi praised the progress of both the men’s and women’s teams before reminiscing about the legends of the sport. “Back in the 1980s, one name always stood out—Maradona. For that generation, he was a true hero,” he remarked.
However, he acknowledged that opinions evolve with time, adding, “If you ask today’s generation, they’ll immediately mention Lionel Messi.”PM Modi answered the question by acknowledging that football is quite popular in India and is widely played across various regions of the country. He also praised both the women’s and men’s football teams for their good performances.
“I think sports have the power to energize the entire world. The spirit of sports brings people together across different nations. That’s why I would never want to see sports being discredited. I truly believe that sports play a major role in human evolution, they’re not just games; they connect people on a deeper level,” the PM said.
Talking about which team is better in cricket among India and Pakistan, PM Modi said, “Just a few days ago, India and Pakistan played a match. The result reveals which is the better team. That’s how we know.”
Beyond this, the conversation delved deeply into Modi’s life story, tracing his early years, his transformative experiences in the Himalayas, his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and his perspectives on Hindu nationalism.