It's all very well giving a final pay day to retired top players, but no one in India has heard of these people as no one there gives a toss about football.
Absolute Bullshit mate. If you dont know anything about a country or the fan following there, dont make stupid statements like these.
India has a significant football fan following. The EPL is wildly popular. In major parts of India, football players have a cult like following.
India is shit at football though. We were somewhat decent once ( in the 1950s). But lack of investment in infrastructure, crappy politics lead to the decline of the national team. But in terms of the craze and knowledge of football, it is up there.
Go to the East Bengal - Mohun Bagan Derby ( more than 120000 people in the stadium), watch some of the local league football in Kerala, Goa and listen to the pasion from the stands.
and Oh..If LFC ever visits Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, or Kochi for a summer game- you are going to be stunned by the "knowledge" of the fans.
My relatives and extended family dont follow premier league or La liga but they are big fans of international football. I am fairly confident they can take you or anyone you nominate on a quiz on world cup and international football. Let alone not heard of "Alessando Del Piero".