It is impossible to walk around Vyasarpadi, popularly known as the ‘mini Brazil of Chennai’, without running into a footballer.

Football is not just another sport here.

It is personal and, as Jayaseelan, a 44 year-old autorickshaw driver and ardent fan of former Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos, puts it, “Football is life itself.” As Spain and Argentina get set to face off in the final chapter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Vyasarpadi comes alive with conversations surrounding the sport.

Uma Shankar, from the neighbourhood, who played in the Kerala Super League strongly backs Spain because he believes in supporting young players in the sport.

“I think we should encourage and support young talents like Lamine Yamal for competing against legends like Messi,” he says.

Meanwhile, Nandha Kumar, who played for India in the 2023 Intercontinental Cup supports Argentina for one reason alone — Lionel Messi.

It is impossible to walk around Vyasarpadi, popularly known as the ‘mini Brazil of Chennai’, without running into a footballer. | Photo Credit: B.

Jothi Ramalingam Liza Vennilla, a former Tamil Nadu football referee is also rooting for Argentina for the same reason.

“Initially I was supporting Portugal, then Brazil, but both teams got knocked out.

Now, I watch the FIFA World Cup for Messi,” she says, adding that, as a fan, she enjoys the game regardless of who wins or loses.

In Vyasarpadi, football is a tradition passed down from one generation to the next, says Liza.

She took up the sport after seeing her father play and was one of only two women who qualified as referees from the area.

Today, her three-year-old daughter is training to be a footballer.

How football became a safe space for children of North Chennai The 2022 World Cup victory turned many fans in the neighbourhood into Argentina supporters.

Residents recall coming together as a community and watching the finals on a big screen.

This year too arrangements are being made for a community screening.

“We don’t support any specific team during the finals.

We celebrate regardless of who wins,” says Jayaseelan, adding that his biggest dream is to see India play in the World Cup.

Asked why football, rather than other sports, became this popular in Vyasarpadi, Jayaseelan points to the poor socio-economic conditions of families in the area.

“Unlike cricket or other sports which require expensive equipment, all this sport requires is a ball.” However, affordability alone does not explain the large number of national and international football players from Vyasarpadi.

Football has changed people’s perception of the Vyasarpadi community. | Photo Credit: B.

Jothi Ramalingam Institutions such as SC-STEDS (Slum Children Sports, Talent, and Education Development Society) and Don Bosco School provide free football coaching to young players.

Founded in 1997 by Thangaraj and Umapathy, SC-STEDS has produced nearly a hundred national and international level footballers.

Along with sports, education is given priority in the institute.

“We know all of them won’t become successful football players in future.

But sports coupled with education will give them opportunities,” says Umapathy, football coach of SC-STEDS.

Thangaraj says that school dropout rates were once high in the area, however, because of sports and training, more students stay in school and focus on education.

He also adds that many youngsters from the current generation are the first graduates in their family.

For Karthick Thirumalai, who represented Tamil Nadu in the Santhosh Trophy, football is not only an emotion but also life’s greatest teacher.

“It has taught me how to deal with failures and move forward in life,” he says. .

According to him, football has changed people’s perception of the Vyasarpadi community.

“All this sport requires is a ball.” | Photo Credit: B.

Jothi Ramalingam “People used to think of violence when they hear the name Vyasarpadi.

Now they connect it with football, which is a positive change,” he says.

Karthick says he believes India can qualify for the World Cup if the country invests in football at the grassroot level and trains the next generation diligently.

“This year we had Indian-origin players playing in the FIFA World Cup, which was motivating to watch.

It showed us what is possible.” Sarpreet Singh (New Zealand), Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid (Qatar), Nishan Velupillay (Australia) and Samuel Moutoussamy (DR Congo), four Indian origin players played for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“We all have a dream that India should play in the World Cup one day.

I think it is possible in the near future, and I am sure players from Vyasarpadi will be in that team,” says Thangaraj.