Former Indian Football team captain IM Vijayan was left astonished on Tuesday as he received an AC Milan jersey signed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and other stars including Rafael Leao and Alessio Romagnoli. Vijayan, one of India’s most reputed football players, took to social media where he posted a video where he is seen with the AC Milan number 9 jersey.
Vijayan, who bid adieu to football in 2003, has been nominated for the Padma Shri Award by the AIFF executive committee this year. He has netted 32 goals for his country in 73 games. The 53-year-old took to Twitter and wrote: “An awesome gift from AC Milan football club. A jersey personally signed by The Lion Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Rafael Leão and Alessio Romagnoli a special thanks to the head coach of AC Milan football Acadamy of Kerala Mr. Alberto Lacandela,” Vijayan tweeted.
Watch the Video here:
An awesome gift from AC Milan football club. A jersey personally signed by The Lion Zlatan Ibrahimovi?, Rafael Leão and Alessio Romagnoli a special thanks to the head coach of AC Milan football Acadamy of Kerala Mr. alberto Lacandela pic.twitter.com/mhX6nqygbA
— I M Vijayan (@IMVijayan1) October 4, 2022
Will be cheering for India U-17 team: Vijayan
Vijayan is also the Chairman of the AIFF’s Technical Community and will be seen cheering for the Indian team in the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup which will be held in India.
“It’s such a great opportunity for the girls. This is the best age to play against some of the top teams like Brazil and the USA. There is absolutely no pressure on them, and they can just go in and enjoy the moment. The whole nation will be watching, and that is the best opportunity for them to show what they can do. I for one, will certainly be cheering them on,” said the 53-year-old.
Not only is it all about enjoying the moment, but playing against top teams to gain experience for the future is something unique that the girls will gain, feels Vijayan.
“The World Cup is such an important event for India. It’s a privilege to play at such a level. The girls can certainly take inspiration from the senior team, who scored a goal against Brazil last year. That’s a big thing that Manisha (Kalyan) did. It gives everyone else the belief that we Indians can also do it,” said Vijayan.
