Four athletes, one fashion-forward afternoon
Football isn't just a sport for us, it's a way of life. And we loved this fashion-forward shoot inspired by the ongoing World Cup," said the four footballers we spent the afternoon on the ground with. With the FIFA World Cup keeping all fans of the game on the edge of their seats, CT took the opportunity to celebrate the game beyond the pitch. From fitness routines and personal style to World Cup favourites, these footballers shared their lifelong love for football, while looking their stylish best.
Athleisure and performance wear today are no longer limited to workouts. It's a lifestyle: Abhishek Dutta
As a coach, I analyse defeats instead of reacting emotionally: Sujata Kar
Indian football manager and former footballer Sujata Kar, who serves as head coach for two clubs, recalls that her love for football began in childhood, playing with cousins and uncles after her father introduced her to sports. Though initially hesitant, he gave her a month to prove herself. "I accepted the challenge, trained hard at the Mahatma Gandhi ground, and that marked the beginning of my football journey," she said.
Having played and coached, Sujata believes coaching carries far greater responsibility than playing. "I am happy to see more young girls taking up football, thanks to growing opportunities in the sport," she said. She follows a disciplined routine of daily practice, gym sessions and fitness training, insisting mental fitness matters as much as physical strength. "As a coach, I now analyse defeats instead of reacting emotionally. But as a player, I would sulk whenever my team lost — once, I was so upset I even cut my hair in anger," she said with a smile.
Her football idol is Brazilian legend Marta , though she is rooting for France in the ongoing World Cup. "This was my first-ever fashion shoot. I was a little shy at the beginning, but I gradually became comfortable. Off the field, I prefer wearing blazers and pantsuits over ethnic clothes," she added.
I grew up supporting Brazil, now I'm rooting for Messi : Alvito Ronaldo Correia D'Cunha
Retired Indian footballer Alvito Ronaldo Correia D'Cunha, a former India national team member who represented the country in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and spent most of his club career with East Bengal, says football has been part of his life since childhood. He began playing professionally as a teenager before joining Salgaocar and later East Bengal FC. Defeats were always hard to accept, especially when the team was expected to win. "After a loss, you don't feel like talking to anyone. You just want to be by yourself. Those are the toughest days for any footballer," he said.
Fitness has always been non-negotiable for Alvito. "Going to the gym is like brushing my teeth or having breakfast — it's part of my daily routine," he said, adding that discipline matters more to him than superstition.
A lifelong Brazil fan, Alvito was disappointed to see the team exit the World Cup and is now backing Argentina. "I've always admired Messi's calmness and the way he plays. I hope he lifts the trophy once again," he said. "I thoroughly enjoyed the shoot — my personal style is simple, and a classic white shirt with denim is my all-time favourite look."
Girls need all the support they can get to pursue football: Kanika Barman
Bengal's Kanika Barman, who created history as the first woman to referee a Calcutta Football League Premier Division match — between East Bengal FC and Railway FC — began her sporting journey in athletics, competing in the 100m sprint and long jump at the junior national level. Inspired by her footballer brother and encouraged by her father, she switched to football when athletics didn't work out. "Football was my father's dream, and eventually it became mine too," she said with a smile.
As a referee, Kanika believes technique is the essence of the game. "Personally, I'm a huge Messi fan, but as a referee, I observe the officials more closely. As a player, I feel the team that plays better deserves to win," she said. Recovering from an injury, she often catches World Cup highlights rather than staying up for matches, and trains daily, preferring home-cooked meals over strict diets.
On women in sport, Kanika feels the biggest challenge is lack of support. "Many girls have the talent, but without encouragement from their families and society, it's difficult to pursue the sport. My biggest inspiration is Stéphanie Frappart, a French football referee," she said. "This was my first-ever fashion shoot, and I loved it. A sari will always remain my favourite outfit."
Football is in every Bengali's blood: Mehtab Hossain
Indian football manager and former footballer Mehtab Hossain, now head coach of a club, says football was never just a sport for him but a way of life. Growing up in Kolkata, he began playing at eight before turning professional in his mid-teens. "Today, mobile phones have replaced playgrounds. I miss seeing children play football till they were drenched in sweat. They miss the smell of the soil," he said. Mehtab believes football is built on strong fundamentals. "If your technique is good, everything else follows in this game," he said. He maintains a disciplined routine of football practice, gym sessions and home-cooked Bengali meals. "Defeats have always been opportunities to learn. Instead of blaming others, I analyse my own mistakes, positioning and decision-making," he said, crediting legendary coach Amal Dutta for instilling that mindset. A lifelong Maradona admirer, Mehtab's support has now extended to Messi. "Messi deserved to win the World Cup. Watching him play at this age is unbelievable," he said. "It was a wonderful experience — I never imagined sportswear could look this stylish. Off the field, I'm a self-confessed sneaker enthusiast."
City footballers get a World Cup glow-up
Alvito D’Cunha says he believes in wearing what suits him rather than following trends. “A classic white shirt paired with denim is my all-time favourite look,” he shared
For Mehtab Hossain, his off-the-field wardrobe features denims with a solid colour linen shirt. He adds, “I’m also a self-confessed sneaker enthusiast”
Athleisure and performance wear today are no longer limited to workouts. It's a lifestyle: Abhishek Dutta
As a coach, I analyse defeats instead of reacting emotionally: Sujata Kar
Indian football manager and former footballer Sujata Kar, who serves as head coach for two clubs, recalls that her love for football began in childhood, playing with cousins and uncles after her father introduced her to sports. Though initially hesitant, he gave her a month to prove herself. "I accepted the challenge, trained hard at the Mahatma Gandhi ground, and that marked the beginning of my football journey," she said.
Having played and coached, Sujata believes coaching carries far greater responsibility than playing. "I am happy to see more young girls taking up football, thanks to growing opportunities in the sport," she said. She follows a disciplined routine of daily practice, gym sessions and fitness training, insisting mental fitness matters as much as physical strength. "As a coach, I now analyse defeats instead of reacting emotionally. But as a player, I would sulk whenever my team lost — once, I was so upset I even cut my hair in anger," she said with a smile.
I grew up supporting Brazil, now I'm rooting for Messi : Alvito Ronaldo Correia D'Cunha
A lifelong Brazil fan, Alvito was disappointed to see the team exit the World Cup and is now backing Argentina. "I've always admired Messi's calmness and the way he plays. I hope he lifts the trophy once again," he said. "I thoroughly enjoyed the shoot — my personal style is simple, and a classic white shirt with denim is my all-time favourite look."
Girls need all the support they can get to pursue football: Kanika Barman
Bengal's Kanika Barman, who created history as the first woman to referee a Calcutta Football League Premier Division match — between East Bengal FC and Railway FC — began her sporting journey in athletics, competing in the 100m sprint and long jump at the junior national level. Inspired by her footballer brother and encouraged by her father, she switched to football when athletics didn't work out. "Football was my father's dream, and eventually it became mine too," she said with a smile.
Football is in every Bengali's blood: Mehtab Hossain
Indian football manager and former footballer Mehtab Hossain, now head coach of a club, says football was never just a sport for him but a way of life. Growing up in Kolkata, he began playing at eight before turning professional in his mid-teens. "Today, mobile phones have replaced playgrounds. I miss seeing children play football till they were drenched in sweat. They miss the smell of the soil," he said. Mehtab believes football is built on strong fundamentals. "If your technique is good, everything else follows in this game," he said. He maintains a disciplined routine of football practice, gym sessions and home-cooked Bengali meals. "Defeats have always been opportunities to learn. Instead of blaming others, I analyse my own mistakes, positioning and decision-making," he said, crediting legendary coach Amal Dutta for instilling that mindset. A lifelong Maradona admirer, Mehtab's support has now extended to Messi. "Messi deserved to win the World Cup. Watching him play at this age is unbelievable," he said. "It was a wonderful experience — I never imagined sportswear could look this stylish. Off the field, I'm a self-confessed sneaker enthusiast."
City footballers get a World Cup glow-up
Alvito D’Cunha says he believes in wearing what suits him rather than following trends. “A classic white shirt paired with denim is my all-time favourite look,” he shared
For Mehtab Hossain, his off-the-field wardrobe features denims with a solid colour linen shirt. He adds, “I’m also a self-confessed sneaker enthusiast”
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