India’s T20I vice-captain Shubman Gill has opened up about when and how he first started following football. The 26-year-old batter revealed that his interest in the sport began during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and it was Brazilian superstar Neymar who truly inspired him. Gill admitted that he would always pick whichever team Neymar played for while watching matches.

“I started actually watching football because of Neymar. I used to love watching the 2014 World Cup. I started watching football properly then. And I used to love watching Neymar, so whatever team he was in, I used to pick that,” Gill said in a chat via Apple Music’s YouTube channel. He further added that Neymar’s moves over the years also influenced his own football interests. “Ever since he’s gone to Saudi and now back to Brazil, I’ve kind of stopped playing FIFA. But whenever I do play, I remember I used to pick Liverpool in between because they had a very strong team. And then Man City,” he explained.

Gill also reflected on his FIFA gaming habits, noting that he doesn’t play the video game as often these days as he once did. However, during his active days with the console, English Premier League clubs like Liverpool and Manchester City often featured in his choices. Off the field, Gill has also been in fine touch with the bat. Returning to India’s T20I squad for the Asia Cup 2025 as vice-captain, he scored an unbeaten 20 off nine balls to help India chase down 58 runs in just 4.3 overs in their opening game.

Meeting Manchester United Stars

Carrying on the football talk, Gill also recalled a memorable experience with Manchester United players when India toured England for a five-match Test series. The fourth Test was played in Manchester, where the Indian squad visited Old Trafford and engaged in a fun collaboration with the Premier League club. “We went to see all the players when we were in Manchester. Yeah, it was like a team collaboration between the Indian cricket team and the Manchester United team. All the players were really amazing. I met Mason Mount, whom I have known from before when he was playing in Chelsea, and met Bruno Fernandes. Most of the players, they all were so nice and so kind. We spoke about so much,” Gill said.

Watch the video here

See Also: [WATCH] 'Pushpa Ka Naam Bhi Bhool Jaate Hain' – Geeta Basra trolls Harbhajan Singh at event amid 2025 Asia Cup

The Manchester experience came during Gill’s first tour as India’s Test captain, a series where he shone both as a batter and leader. He ended as the highest run-scorer of the season with 754 runs, including four hundreds and a double hundred, which helped India secure a thrilling 2-2 draw. Gill's words articulated not only his idolization of footballers but also how, as a sporting personality, he is able to find inspiration from sporting icons beyond the cricket field.