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World Cup: Messi greatest but Argentina not on Chhetri’s list of contenders
Kolkata, June 12 (IANS) Though rating Lionel Messi as the “greatest player to have ever played the sport,” Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri on Tuesday did not pick Argentina as one of the favourites to lift the World Cup in Russia this time.
“If you’re asking me four good teams, I think Germany, Spain, Brazil and France look really strong,” Chhetri told reporters on the sidelines of the Football Players’ Association of India’s (FPAI) annual awards.
“I hope some other team proves me wrong. England are dark horses, Belgium have a very good side,” said Chhetri who almost singlehandedly guided India to the Intercontinental Cup triumph in Mumbai last week.
Messi has lost three finals with his national team, one in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the other two in the Copa America.
Chhetri, who racked up eight goals in four matches, scored a brace in the final against Kenya as Stephen Constantine’s charges won 2-0 at the Mumbai Football Arena.
Chhetri also equalled Messi in the number of international goals at 64.
Brushing aside “baseless” comparison with the FC Barcelona star, Chhetri said Messi deserves to win the World Cup after failing to win it in 2014 when Argentina lost to Germany in the final.
“I will be very happy if he scores. I am his fan. I don’t take comparisons seriously. I don’t think anyone should. These are baseless. I hope Messi scores and Argentina do well,” Chhetri said.
“A lot of people say that since he hasn’t won the World Cup, he is not a great player or whatever..I think he is the greatest player ever to play football. He is extraordinary.
“I just hope, for his sake, that he does well and Argentina win the World Cup.”
A Spain supporter, Chhetri did not want to comment on this being Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup, rather putting the spotlight on midfield general Andres Iniesta who is set to don the Spanish jersey for the final time this summer.
“The team I really like to watch is Spain. I like the way they play football,” Chhetri said.
“I don’t think this would be Messi or Ronaldo’s last World Cup. They are so fit. Let’s turn our attention to Iniesta who is such a gifted footballer.This is set to be his last World Cup so let’s enjoy him play,” the 33-year-old added.
Asked to pick the players he would like to watch, Chhetri said he does not want to put his finger on any particular player.
“I don’t want to take names. It’s time to watch the best players play against each other. I think that is the whole thing of World Cup. It comes in four years. As neutrals, just enjoy it as there are so many players to watch out for.”
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.