Once bitten, twice shy: How Kolkata prepare for India vs Brazil after Lionel Messi fiasco

The Brazilian team trains at the Salt Lake Stadium (Photo/AIFF) TimesofIndia.com in Kolkata: For India Vs. With Brazil just over 24 hours away, Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium was abuzz with activity on Friday despite it being a public holiday. The cleanup was going on in a big way, with piles placed all over and inside the gigantic stadium. Around 16:00, the Brazilian national team went for a light training session.After a short chat with the coaches, including manager Carlo Ancelotti, the team underwent some strengthening exercises and ran to test their agility. This was followed by a rondo involving the entire section. At the next bend, the goalkeepers were tested with minimal effort as they dived on the warm, improved turf of the iconic stadium.Just 20 hours ago, five-time World Cup champions Brazil landed in Kolkata from Australia. As they exited the VIP gate, a tight security cordon was in place and the convoy made sure they quickly reached the luxurious five-star hotel. Even there, an unbreakable security bandobast kept a large group of fans at bay.Much has changed since Lionel Messi’s chaotic and brief visit to this part of the world in December. But the memory lingers, and it turns out to be a warning to all involved.Nothing is left to chance for security officials and organizers. Pilot cars, remote barriers and layers of security were the mantra. An eight-minute window was worked out when they made their way from the airport to the hotel. As the Seleção left the team hotel, some fans saw the team but were largely kept at arm’s length.The other side of the warning was directed at the fans. Some football fans are believed to have been put off by the mess from Messi’s visit, where angry fans disrupted security and the 22-minute performance left many disappointed.Another reason fans stayed away was ticket prices. 24 hours before kick-off, ticket prices started from Rs 3,500 and went up to Rs 15,000. Although they were offered at a discount, many takers did not show up. 14,000 tickets were offered at a reduced price to supporters of East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting, but not all were taken. According to the latest report, only 30-40% of marquee tickets have been sold so far.The lack of star power in Brazil’s current squad is another factor. Vinicius Jr., who plays for Real Madrid, is the biggest face involved. Barcelona’s Raphinha has returned to Spain after suffering a right thigh injury in the friendly win against the Socceroos.

Big opportunity for Kolkata

Vinicius Jr. at Brazil’s training ahead of their FIFA friendly against India in Kolkata. (AIFF)

Both Brazil and Argentina have devoted fan bases in Kolkata, where fans’ love for their flamboyance goes back decades. During the World Cup, the neighborhoods will be covered in the colors of Brazil and Argentina. Salt Lake Stadium had sell-out crowds of more than 60,000 when Argentina played a friendly in 2011, and Brazil competed in the Under-17 World Cup six years later.At the airport, there was no sign that one of the biggest football teams on the planet had arrived a few hours ago. The taxi driver informed that they had alighted from Gate 3C and were on their way quickly.Heading into the city towards the Salt Lake Stadium a few kilometers further on, a giant hoarding read: ‘Bummy Saturday’ with the faces of Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr.

We know how much this region loves the national team… we are happy to play India here

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti

“We know how this region loves the national team… we are happy to play here against India,” Ancelotti said on Friday. “All these matches… are good preparation and a good opportunity to show what we can do.“I would like the players to have fun, to play with joy in every match. You want to play with joy. It’s not a test, it’s an opportunity,” continued the Italian.Captain Marquinhos said the friendly was a way of thanking Brazil’s supporters in India.“Obviously we always focus a lot on playing well and winning the match, but being here is also a way to thank the Indian people for their support and for following the Brazilian national team all these years, throughout its history,” he said.“This is also the second largest group of supporters of the national team outside of Brazil, so it is a pleasure and an honor.”

An even bigger opportunity for Khalid’s India

World No. 138 India are the lowest-ranked opponents Brazil have faced since 1998 when they played 185-ranked Andorra.The gap in quality and achievements between the two teams is huge. With India failing to qualify for the 2027 Asia Cup and skipping the Asian Games altogether due to failure to meet the Sports Ministry’s qualification requirements, the competition is as much a test as it is a spectacle.AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey called it a “historic” occasion, while the federation hopes the competition can attract new followers and give Indian players an experience they rarely get. But it cost something.India has withdrawn from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, a competition where some teams will compete against India. Instead, when two competitions clashed and the attempt to use two teams was prohibited, friendly matches were given priority.Defender Anwar Ali stressed the importance of not being caught off guard. “We just have to focus. Because everyone knows how Brazil plays. So we have to keep calm in the field. And deal with the pressure,” he said.Speaking to TimesofIndia.com, former captain Bhaichung Bhutia questioned the move, arguing that competitive matches and long-term investment would offer more value than spending heavily on a high-profile friendly.The Khalid Jamil-led side are coming off the back of a gritty 1-1 draw against Panama in Bengaluru on September 25. But the next challenge is even bigger.“They are the best team. They are known as the best of the best. They are very strong defensively. Their offense is good,” Jamil told a press conference.platoonsIndia: Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Som Kumar; Defenders: Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Jay Gupta, Pramveer, Ricky Meetei Haobam; Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Farukh Choudhary, Lalengmawia Ralte, Macarton Nickson, Mohammed Sanan, Ricky Shabong, Sahal Abdul Samad; Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Ryan Williams, Vikram Partap Singh.Brazil: Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza, Pedro Morisco, Otavio; Defenders: Arthur Dias, Douglas Santos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jair, Marquinhos, Matheuzinho, Mauro Junior, Vitor Reis, Wesley; Midfielders: Andrey Santos, Breno Bidon, Bruno Guimaraes, Danilo Santos, Douglas Luiz, Gabriel Bontempo; Forwards: Endrick, Stephen, Joao Pedro, Pedro, Rayan, Samuel Lino, Vinicius Junior.