Soumo Ghosh
AIFF Media Team
NEW DELHI: Football is a strange game, one where the guardians of its most prized rectangle seldom get their due credit. There are, however, occasions when those that are meant to stay rooted in the penalty box, take a flight to leave everyone mesmerised. Former India custodian Subrata Paul was perhaps one of those goalkeepers, who has been an inspiration to many.
The 37-year-old, in a letter to the AIFF on Friday, December 8, 2023, has announced that he will be hanging up his gloves and boots, as he dives into a new phase of his life.
“I am filled with a mixture of emotions. There’s a sense of accomplishment for the journey I’ve been on, coupled with a touch of sadness at leaving the beautiful game behind,” Paul said to the-aiff.com. “But more than anything, there’s an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the incredible opportunities and experiences football has given me.”
Paul has an incredible 67 international caps to his name, keeping 19 clean sheets, the first of which, was earned on his international debut against Cambodia in the 2007 Nehru Cup at the Ambedkar Stadium, in New Delhi.
The man who captained India on four occasions, said, “Looking back, I am incredibly proud of my career. Representing India at various levels, including the AFC Asian Cup, has been a great honour. From the highs of victory to the lows of setbacks, the journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but each moment has contributed to my growth as a player and as a person.”
At the end of his long and illustrious career, which contains three Nehru Cups, one AFC Challenge Cup, and one Tri-Nation Cup trophy, Paul remains grateful to Providence. “Football has been the defining force in my life. It has shaped me as a person, instilled discipline, taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, and given me the immense privilege of representing my country on the world stage. Without football, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” he said.
