He's my inspiration: Prabir Das reveals how brother’s sacrifice saved his career
Prabir Das is an established footballer in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Having played for the likes of ATK FC, ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC. The West Bengal full-back will now add Kerala Blasters FC to the list having joined the club ahead of the new season.
Prabir Das is an established footballer in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Having played for the likes of ATK FC, ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC. The West Bengal full-back will now add Kerala Blasters FC to the list having joined the club ahead of the new season.
Das has featured in 106 matches in the Hero ISL and has won the title two times with ATK FC. He was also part of the ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC teams that finished runners-up in 2020-21 and 2022-23 respectively.
The 29-year-old is thus a seasoned campaigner in the Indian top flight and would be an asset for his new club Kerala Blasters FC.
But Prabir had to overcome many challenges to make it this far, none bigger than financial constraints back home.
In 2010, as Das was training to be a professional footballer, he was faced with a big decision as the financial condition at home proved to be challenging.
He was offered a job that would ease the constraints but it would have to come at the cost of his football career.
But knowing well his potential to make it big in Indian football, his brother Rovin Das, a footballer himself decided to intervene.
He took on the responsibility of his family while sacrificing his own football career to ensure Prabir fulfilled his potential.
“In 2010, our financial condition at home was not very strong. I had a job offer then. I was playing professional football but that job was very important to us. But my brother let me play and sacrificed his own career for me. He was a goalkeeper and a very good one too. If he had continued to play he would have at least played in the Hero I-League if not in the Hero ISL,” Prabir told Kerala Blasters FC Media team during an interview after signing for the club.
Prabir has since gone on to become one of the best attacking full-backs in the country and gained a lot of accolades from fans, especially in West Bengal.
Having made the Bengaluru FC fans fall in love with him, he is set to become a darling of the Kerala Blasters FC supporters who are known to support their club wherever they play.
For Das, every ball he kicks as a professional footballer is dedicated to his brother whose sacrifice made it all possible.
“I have grown up in a time when so many big footballers played not just in India and abroad. But for me, my biggest inspiration will always be my brother. I am sitting here because of him,” Das concluded.