PM Modi on India’s ‘Mini Brazil’: “A Village Where Football Runs in the Blood

Shahdol’s Tribal Village Has Produced 80 National Football Players, Modi Reveals on Podcast

“For four generations, this village has lived and breathed football,” says PM Modi in conversation with Lex Fridman

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📍 New Delhi, March 16: During a candid conversation with renowned podcaster and computer scientist Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a fascinating story about a hidden football powerhouse in India—a tribal village in Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district, popularly known as ‘Mini Brazil’.

✔️ The village has produced nearly 80 national-level players.
✔️ Football has been passed down through four generations.
✔️ Annual matches attract over 25,000 spectators.

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🔹 Modi’s Discovery of ‘Mini Brazil’

🗣️ “I was surprised when they told me, ‘We are from Mini Brazil.'”

Modi recounted his visit to Shahdol, a tribal-dominated district in Madhya Pradesh, where he encountered a large group of young boys, teenagers, and even older players all dressed in football uniforms.

✔️ His curiosity led him to ask them about their background, and their unexpected answer amazed him.
✔️ They told him that their village has been playing football for four generations and has produced 80 national-level players.

🚀 “Their entire village is dedicated to football. It’s not just a game for them—it’s their legacy,” Modi said.

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🔹 Football Fever in the Heart of India

📌 The Prime Minister further revealed that this village’s annual football matches draw over 20,000 to 25,000 spectators from surrounding areas, a number usually seen in major league matches.

✔️ “Football is not just about passion. It teaches teamwork, discipline, and unity. I see India’s growing love for football as a positive sign for the future.”

✔️ He emphasized that while India is globally known for cricket, football is deeply rooted in many lesser-known regions, particularly in tribal areas, West Bengal, Kerala, and the Northeast.

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🔹 Key Takeaways

✔️ Madhya Pradesh’s Shahdol district has a deep-rooted football culture.
✔️ The village, dubbed ‘Mini Brazil,’ has produced 80 national-level footballers.
✔️ Football is a generational legacy in this tribal community.
✔️ The game is growing beyond traditional strongholds like Kerala and Bengal.
✔️ India’s football culture is slowly but steadily gaining momentum.

📢 Could ‘Mini Brazil’ be a future talent hub for Indian football?