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Happy Women’s Day!

In honour of Women’s Day this week, I asked players and coaches to share tributes to the most important women in their lives. They wrote back to me sharing beautiful anecdotes and photos of their mothers, sisters, daughters, girlfriends, wives – of the women that have provided them with boundless inspiration, care, advice, support, and most of all, love, when they needed it the most. 

They were also unanimous in their appreciation and gratitude for all the female fans of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Happy Women’s Day to you all!

Here are each of their messages:

Marcelinho, his daughter, and his wife when pregnant

“What an honour to talk about women in my life. I am blessed to be surrounded by women, and the women around me are like a team for me. My mother has always been by my side since I was little, but to take me to school, football, and activities there was a woman named Gloria, who, from the day I was born took care of me and still lives with my parents. After my marriage, my wife Juliana and my daughter Giovanna are of course an incredibly special and important part of my life. My wife's mother and her grandmother also form part of my amazing support system, helping us take care of our baby and our home. The most beautiful thing my wife did for me was to move to Greece for me when we got married, leaving behind her work and her family, always supporting me, and giving me love. Happy Women’s day to all women. You make the world a far better place.” – Marcelinho 

CK Vineeth and his mother

“The most important woman in my life has to be my mother. She sacrificed things for me before I could even remember, and whatever I am today, and anything I achieve is because of the things she did for me as a child. I cannot even begin to speak about how much I am indebted to her”. – C.K. Vineeth

Iain Hume with his daughters and wife

“Obviously, my amazing Mum who brought me into this world, raised me, and sacrificed so much to help get me where I am. I also have two amazing sisters who, although we’ve had our disagreements over the years, have grown closer and closer; and I now realise how lucky I am to have them. But the concrete answer can be given without any doubt! I have three ladies in my life without whom I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am today: my wife Chrissie who I’ve been with for 15 years (married for almost 12) has stuck with me all this time, when I know I’ve pushed her to her limits. She’s kept me level-headed and brought me up when I’ve been in tough situations. To be honest, she is the glue that holds me and our family together. But the icing on the cake: we have been blessed with two beautiful daughters (Keira, 14 and Alyssa, 7) who are my greatest achievements in my life, bar none! I would like to wish all women a very Happy Women’s Day!” – Iain Hume

Sergio Lobera’s mother and wife

“For me, the two most important women in my life are my mother and my wife. My mother – for the effort she has always made so that I could fulfill my dreams, for the education she has given me and the values ​​of life she has taught me together with my father. She taught me what it is to love, understand, value, strive, respect, help... many things! And of course, my wife, for loving me so much, for being my travelling companion in all the goals that I set in my life. Despite being pregnant, she came with me to India this season to help fulfill one of our dreams which is to win the Hero ISL. A few days ago, she had to return to Barcelona because she was already seven months pregnant. If we manage to win the ISL, much of my success would be thanks to her understanding, her help during the difficult times, her unconditional support and her positivity. She is a great woman and will be a great mother. Happy Women’s Day!” – Sergio Lobera

Lallianzuala Chhangte and his mother

“The most important woman in my life is my mom. She has done so many wonderful, selfless things for me in my life that I could not repay her even if I live for a thousand years. But one of the most touching things that I will never forget was that she once sold some of her clothes to buy me a pair of new football boots.” – Lallianzuala Chhangte 

Tiri and his wife

“For me, the most important women in my life are my mother and my wife! They are my support from day to day, when things are not going well they always do everything possible to see me with a smile on their faces, even when I’m not even in the same country.” - Tiri 

Ishfaq Ahmed with his sister, mother, and other family members

“My mom and my sister are the most important women in my life. Moms are super humans. During my early days of football, my mom was my motivator and even my physio! If I ever came home injured she was the one who would bring me an ice pack or a hot pack. She would ensure I ate the right food and got enough rest. She used to set aside money from her monthly household budget especially for my requirements when I had to travel to play for the state. Her emotional support is also beyond words, as is my sister’s – she too looked after me like my mom. Allhumdulilah (thanks to god) for these two super women in my life, and to all women. Happy Women’s Day!” - Ishfaq Ahmed 

Erik Paartalu and his wife Amy

“People think being a professional footballer is rosy. It’s really only rosy on match day if you win and play well. Luckily for us, this season has been very positive and we have enjoyed the journey together but there have been many seasons and days where things are difficult and that’s when you know who has really got your back and my wife Amy always has my back. The most wonderful thing is just her being there to support me. It isn’t about big fancy dinners or holidays. On a daily basis, she is there to keep me positive and to make sure we are happy. I want to wish all the women in the world and, in particular, in India a Happy Women’s Day! You all have my respect and admiration for the work you do. Women play an integral part in shifting the minds of many and shaping the dreams of a nation. I also hope women’s football in India continues to grow.” - Erik Paartalu 

Sahil Tavora and his mother

“The most important woman in my life without a shadow of a doubt would be my mother. She has made some big sacrifices to allow me to chase my dreams and achieve them… right from taking me to training twice a day when I was a child – early morning before school and in the evening – to helping me prepare my food according to my nutrition plan. I definitely would not be where I am today without her! Happy Women’s Day, Mama! I love you, and I hope it’s a special day for all women!” - Sahil Tavora  

Lucian Goian with his wife

“There are two women that have been absolutely central to my life: my mother, who unfortunately passed away when I was 16 years old, and my wife. My mum provided the education and the support that I needed to become who I am. My wife gives me support, motivation and a sense of balance. She also brought our Luca into the world and he is everything for us. Happy Women’s Day to all women. You deserve love and respect always.” -  Lucian Goian 

Robin Singh, his mother, two sisters, and girlfriend (clockwise from top left)

“My mom, my sisters, and my girlfriend have been the pillars of strength in my life. I am the man I am today because of their unconditional support and love. My mom taught me the values of hard work, discipline and having faith in the Lord above – probably the most significant qualities in my professional life. My sisters taught me compassion; they are the most kind and gentle human beings caring for everyone around them. My girlfriend has always been there for me; she’s taught me the importance of positive thinking and never letting my head hang low, making sure I’m always confident of what I do. My life wouldn’t be the same without these women. Happy Women’s Day to all! Women make the world worthwhile.” – Robin Singh

“The most important woman in my life is undoubtedly my mother. Apart from having to bear with me kicking inside of her for nine whole months (now it makes sense why I'm a professional footballer), she has been my biggest source of support and strength for the other 25 years that followed. My mother is the most selfless human being I know and till date she always puts my brother and me before herself. I hope every man realises the importance of not only their mothers, but their wives, sisters, girlfriends, and friends because women truly are a magnificent creation. Happy Women's Day!” - Siddharth Singh

“I guess for everyone the most important woman in their life must be their mother. Whenever I find myself in a difficult situation, I always think that if my mother was in this situation then she wouldn’t give up, that she’d fight it out, and that always gives me strength. She has always been my motivation. One could spend all his life trying to count all the wonderful things our mothers do for us – but even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to list them out. Happy Women’s Day to all the women of the world, you are wonderful.” – Sandesh Jhingan