New Delhi: Football and cricket are two of the most popular sports in the world, and particularly in India, cricket is followed with an almost religious fervor. However, the love for football among Indian cricketers have been increasingly evident.
The cricketers are often seen playing football as a warm-up activity for a long time. But the obsession of cricketers for football doesn’t end here. However, cricket player’s fixation with football doesn’t end here. Like any other football fan our Indian cricket players including players like Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, and MS Dhoni, are huge supporters of European football clubs. These cricketers have publicly even expressed their admiration for football clubs from across Europe showcasing a diverse range of allegiances. Here is a list of cricketers and their favorite football clubs. Have a look:
Manchester United
Manchester United has a massive following in India and it’s no surprise that many cricketers are ardent fans of the Red Devils. The English club is the most successful team in Premier League history having secured the title 13 times.
However, the club has faced challenges after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement with their last league win dating back to the 2012-13 season. Despite the recent challenges, the Red Bulls have started the 2024-25 campaign on a brighter note securing a 1-0 victory against Fulham at Old Trafford. Several Indian cricketers have openly demonstrated their support for Manchester United both by attending the matches and sharing their enthusiasm on social media. The Indian cricketers who are passionate fans of the club include:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Nitish Rana and Yuzvendra Chahal
Chelsea
Chelsea is another Premier League powerhouse that has also garnered a significant following among Indian cricketers. Known for their consistent performances and stylish football the Blues have captivated the hearts of many. The Blues have won five Championships last dating back to 2016. Manchester United and Manchester City have won it more often than them.
Several Indian cricketers have openly expressed their admiration for Chelsea. They have been seen wearing the club’s jerseys and following their matches closely. The allure of Chelsea’s history, star-studded roster, and competitive spirit have made them a popular choice among Indian cricket fans further strengthening the bond between the two sports.
Shreyas Iyer and Shubhman Gill
True Blue 💙@ShreyasIyer15 🤝 @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/UrE5gvXdoO
— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) August 3, 2022
Arsenal
Arsenal’s attractive style of play and consistent performances in the Premier League have made them a popular choice among Indian cricketers. With their performances Gunners have captivated the interest of many fans. The Gunners have won the Premier League title three times with the most recent coming in the 2003-04 season.
Arsenal’s last season almost brought an end to the Gunners long Premier League drought but it wasn’t enough for silverware. Considering their form this season they look pretty good having won a league-high five points but the recent defeat from Aston Villa raise questions. The Reds need to work on tackling their problem of stuttering against the bigger sides.
KL Rahul and Rahul Dravid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is one of the most iconic football clubs globally which boasts a massive fan base in India. Their illustrious history and star-studded roster combined with their intense rivalry with Barcelona, have made them incredibly popular among Indian cricket fans. The early rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi further solidified Real Madrid’s appeal, as it captured the imagination of fans worldwide.
Real Madrid’s record-breaking 15 Champions League titles and their ability to attract top-tier players have also contributed to their popularity. Notably, the famous Indian cricketer, Virat Kohli, shifted his allegiance from Manchester United to Real Madrid primarily due to Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact during his time at the club.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
FC Bacelona
FC Barcelona is one of the most renowned football clubs, famous for its attractive style of play, known as ‘tiki-taka’. With a rich history of success in both domestic and European competitions, Barcelona is known for its academy, La Masia, which has produced numerous footballing legends.
Barcelona has won five Champions League titles, making it one of the most successful clubs in the tournament’s history. The club has been involved in several memorable matches and has a massive global following, especially during the time of Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr.
Even among Indian cricket fans, Barcelona enjoys a significant following with many fans admiring the club’s style of play and their star players.
Kuldeep Yadav
The passion Indian cricketers have for football extends beyond mere fandom it reflects their admiration for excellence, history, and style. Whether it’s the global appeal of Manchester United, the beautiful play of FC Barcelona, the success of Real Madrid, the resilience of Chelsea, or the skillful football of Arsenal, each of these clubs have captured the hearts of Indian cricketers in unique ways. This cross-sport admiration highlights the universal language of sport where excellence and passion transcend boundaries and unite fans across the globe.
Discover the top 5 football clubs adored by Indian cricket legends! From Manchester United to Real Madrid, find out which European giants have captivated the hearts of cricket stars like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and more. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
