7 moments that popularized European clubs among Indians

Indian football might have been in ruins for ages, but football, as a sport, has never been more popular in this country. This widespread following has to be attributed to European football, especially the English game.As the English FA drew an ambitious plan in the early 90s to extend the wings of their first division league, football clubs started investing in global marketing to reach unchartered territories all over the world. As the money started pouring in, European football was able to amplify its following as clubs recruited world superstars and acquired its own legion of supporters.India soon caught up with this contagious phenomenon and has slowly turned into one of the biggest markets for European football. Millions of football fans now can be seen in sports pubs across the country every weekend, cheering their respective clubs on. Indians are also one of the most active supporters on social media and content platforms, regularly engaging in banter and discussions. We look at those landmark moments which inspired Indians to start following the elite clubs of Europe.

#1 Manchester United 1998/99 treble

On that historic day in Barcelona, Solksjaer didn’t just win the Champions League for Manchester United, but he also won a huge legion of football fans across the world, a supporter base which after a decade would go on to make Manchester United the most followed and celebrated sports club in the world.

Although Manchester United had been one of the most popular football clubs globally for a good part of the late twentieth century and continued success under Sir Alex during with the advent of the Premier League era had put the Red Devils on the world map, but the real breakpoint in terms of global outreach and popularity came after their glorious 1998/99 treble-winning season which ended with a sensational last-minute comeback victory over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.

With the Premier League reaching numerous shores and nations with every passing season, football fans across the world began identifying with United’s successful brand of football and players of the likes of David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Eric Cantona played their part in making Manchester United a truly global phenomena.