FOOTBALL IS THE world’s most important sport.  Over half the world’s population watch football on television whenever World Cup, European Cup and other important championship matches are telecast.  The very best players wearing their favourite numbers have dominated the football scene in their respective generations.

Think of the No.8 and the players who prominently figure in the cauldron of the very best are Brazil’s Jairzinho, Holland’s Denis Bergkamp, England’s Paul Gascoigne, Holland’s Ronald de Boer, Chile’s Ivan Zamorano, Bulgaria’s Hristo Stoichkov, Argentina’s Diego Simeone, Spain’s Luis Enrique, Italy’s Gianluca Vialli and quite a few others.  They are all extraordinary attackers/midfielders whose contribution to their respective teams and countries will not be clouded by the passage of time.

Jairzinho was the player who really shone in Brazil’s awesome 1970 World Cup winning side.  With a goal in every round of the tournament – a record – his cannonball shot and electric turn of pace made mince-meat of the world’s best defences.  He had a brief spell in Europe with Marseille and went on to win over 100 caps for his country, also appearing in the 1974 World Cup finals.

Diego Simeone, ever since he made his debut for Argentina was an automatic choice on the right side of the national side’s midfield.  He played in the Italian and Spanish leagues.  He is known to the fans the world over for his discipline both on and off the field.  He was not a player whom one expected to see making bold runs behind the defence. Nor did he excite the fans by taking defenders on with the ball.  He played percentage football.  If a short pass would do the job, that’s what he would give.  He liked to play rather more of a static role than that of a flying winger.

Ronald and Frank de Boer are twin brothers.  While Ronald played in the midfield, Frank played in the defence.  Ronald became the Dutch players’ Player of the Year for the third time in his illustrious career.  Because of his great ball skills he was shifted to the mid-field position from his favourite striker position.   And he performed in that role exceedingly well.  He scored a number of goals playing in that position.

Ivan Zamorano was Chile’s most influential player to lead their front line attack.  He was nicknamed ‘Bam Bam’ because of his scoring prowess.  His scoring exploits earned him a transfer to Seville and then Real Madrid.  He became the top scorer in the Spanish League before transferring to Inter Milan in Italy.  He was one of the most dangerous marksmen in European club football in the 1990s.

Goa’s famous No.8

	Francis D’Souza:  One of Goa’s most intelligent strikers and the first player to play as a professional in Kolkata.  Today Francis is a qualified N.I.S. coach with the Sports Authority of India and is also a qualified referee.  Born in Saligao in a footballing background - all his brothers are sportsmen - Francis began his career with Panvel.  But it wasn’t until Dempo, then Mohun Bagan, that he became a recognized figure in Indian football.  Francis could turn defenders inside out with the slightest drop of the shoulder but it was his skill that really set him apart.  He’s an international player and represented Goa a number  of times.
	Digambar Haldankar:  Digambar began his career with Panvel SC before switching to Salgaocar SC in the early 80s.  He played on the wings and was very fast.  “It would be because of my size that I can balance so well” he once admitted.  He represented Goa at the nationals.
	Alex Miranda: Alex who wore No.11/22 for Dempo SC got his first break with Panvel SC.  He was one of the best players to have assisted Dempo SC over the years.  He also played for Salgaocar SC.  He was an unpredictable striker who could score goals from any position and surprise the teams.  He played for the Nationals at Jalandhar, Patna, Quilon and Dehradun.
	Anthony D’Souza:  Anthony who is now an assistant coach at the Sesa Goa Football Academy was a very skillful and fast player.  He dominated the Sesa Goa’s strike force in the 80s and early 90s. With his good build, he looked a lethal striker.  He had pace, quick feet and fast enough reactions to more than compensate for his other shortcomings.  He represented Goa at the nationals a couple of times.
	Orlando Godinho:  Was a regular in the MPT side for many years.  He could match the best of Goa’s strikers though he did not play for any of the big four Goa clubs.  His contribution to MPT’s many a success was huge.  He launched himself in the starting line up with his sheer hardwork.The other players who wore the prized No.8 jersey one time or the other are Orlando Viegas (Dempo SC), Thomas Kushboo (MRF), Joseph Raphael (Vasco SC) Agnel Pinto (Sesa Goa).

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