Indian Football Star Sandesh Jhingan Makes Desperate Plea After Lionel Messi Tour: 'Crores Spent'

Following Lionel Messi's highly publicized 'GOAT Tour,' Indian men's football team captain Sandesh Jhingan has voiced serious concerns about the financial priorities within the sport. Jhingan questioned the allocation of significant funds to the tour, suggesting that the money could have been better invested in developing Indian football, which he says is currently facing a standstill.

The three-day tour featuring Lionel Messi, Rodrigo de Paul, and Luis Suarez attracted massive crowds and generated considerable excitement in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi.

In a candid Instagram post, Jhingan expressed his worries about the future of Indian football. He highlighted the contradiction of spending crores on the Messi tour while the domestic game struggles to attract investment. "It feels as though we are close to shutting everything down because there is no willingness to invest in football within India, yet crores were spent on this tour," he wrote.

Jhingan pointed out that the overwhelming public response to the tour, despite the problems facing Indian football, reveals the nation's priorities. He lamented the fact that the domestic football scene is facing a difficult period, with the potential for no active domestic football in the near future.

"What troubles me, however, and leaves me deeply reflective, is that at a time when our own football ecosystem is in jeopardy, arguably facing one of its most difficult phases, we stand on the brink of having no active domestic football ahead of us," he stated.

The 30-year-old defender emphasized the stark contrast between the money spent on the tour and the struggles faced by local players. He believes this disparity highlights a harsh reality: while there is a love for the sport, there may not be enough support for Indian players.

Although the tour attracted large crowds and high-paying attendees in several major cities, it was criticized by some as merely an exhibition for the wealthy. The Kolkata leg of the tour was particularly chaotic, with many spectators complaining about their inability to properly see Messi, who was only on the field for a short period and was constantly surrounded by people, including a state minister. The event was marred by disorganization, leading to the arrest of an organizer.

Jhingan acknowledged the outpouring of support for football during the tour but emphasized the need to address the underlying issues within Indian football. He expressed his happiness at seeing the stadiums filled and the public's willingness to spend money on the sport. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. he remains concerned about the lack of investment and support for the domestic game.

Currently, Indian domestic football is in a precarious position, lacking a broadcast partner and with the start dates for both the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League still unconfirmed.

While accepting criticism of the national team's performance, Jhingan argued that results are directly linked to the system in place. He understands the need to take responsibility for performances on the pitch. That said, the reality is a bit more complicated. he also stressed that football's success depends on structure, stability, and belief.

Despite his concerns, Jhingan remains optimistic about the future of Indian football, expressing hope that it can overcome its current challenges. "We have had good days before. And we can have them again," he wrote, while also admitting to questioning many things about the sport's direction in India.