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Mohammed Habib, the football maestro of the 1970s who once caught the attention of the legendary Pele, passed away on Tuesday. The iconic former Indian footballer was 74 years old.
Born in Hyderabad, Habib had been battling dementia and Parkinson's syndrome in recent years. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
Habib's illustrious career in football began in the late 1960s and lasted through the 1970s. He proudly wore the jerseys of the three footballing giants of Kolkata: Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan Sporting. He played an instrumental role in shaping the golden era of Indian football, particularly in Kolkata, which is often referred to as the Mecca of Indian football.
Starting his international career against Thailand in the 1967 Merdeka Cup at Kuala Lumpur, Habib played 35 matches for India, netting 11 goals. Over the years, he became a household name in Indian football, often regarded as the nation's first "true professional" player. This title was earned due to his unwavering commitment to the game, turning down various job offers that came as a result of his footballing exploits.
Post his active football career, Habib ventured into coaching at the Tata Football Academy (TFA) and later became the chief coach of the Indian Football Association academy in Haldia.
One of Habib's career highlights includes a match against Pele's New York Cosmos in 1977, where he scored for Mohun Bagan, resulting in a commendable 2-2 draw. Pele, the global footballing sensation, singled out Habib for praise after the match.
Habib's contributions to Indian football were monumental. Apart from clinching the bronze medal for India in the 1970 Asian Games, he was integral in making India joint winners of the Pesta Sukan Cup in 1971 alongside South Vietnam. His dedication to the sport earned him the prestigious Arjuna Award.
Paying tribute, Kalyan Chaubey, president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), recalled Habib as his mentor and celebrated his contributions. Shaji Prabhakaran, AIFF's secretary general, also expressed his grief, emphasizing Habib's unwavering commitment to football.
Throughout his life, Habib remained an inspiration to countless footballers. His significant achievements include scoring winning goals in three Durand Cup finals for East Bengal and clinching the Triple Crown for both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in the 1970s. Habib's legendary status in Indian football remains unparalleled, and he will be remembered fondly by fans and contemporaries alike.
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