{
  "id": 9564642,
  "title": "Why I M Vijayan’s kiss for Ronaldinho meant so much to Kerala",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/why-i-m-vijayans-kiss-for-ronaldinho-meant-so-much-to-kerala",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T13:10:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/why-i-m-vijayans-kiss-for-ronaldinho-meant-so-much-to-kerala-1.500686560"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the world of football, Ronaldinho is an absolute legend, known for his flair, joy and entertainment on the pitch. His influence extends to Kerala, India, a place where football holds a special place in the hearts of the people. When Ronaldinho visited Kerala for an exhibition game during a World Cup, he was met with enthusiastic adoration from fans who saw him as a symbol of the beautiful game. Among the admirers was I M Vijayan, a football icon in Kerala whose story is one of remarkable perseverance and talent. Vijayan grew up in poverty in Thrissur, selling soda at the local stadium to make ends meet while staying close to football. His family struggled financially, and his mother collected scrap to make a little money. Despite these hardships, Vijayan discovered his incredible football talent at a young age. He was recruited by the Kerala Police at just 17, which became his ticket out of poverty. Vijayan went on to represent India for over a decade and was named the country's Player of the Year three times. Although video footage from his prime is scarce, those who witnessed his skills knew he made football look effortless. Vijayan's love for football transcended his professional career, as he continued to play in tournaments and exhibition games in Kerala. His presence always evoked a sense of joy and excitement among the fans. When he affectionately kissed Ronaldinho on the forehead during the Brazil Legends visit to Kochi, it was a football moment that held special meaning for the Malayali fans. Vijayan's journey is a testament to the power of football to bring people together, regardless of their background or location. For Malayalis, he is more than just a former Indian international; he is an emotion deeply rooted in the football-loving culture of the region.",
  "summary": "Football fans around the world know Ronaldinho very well. He is an absolute legend of the game who played football with a smile on his face. The flair, the joy and the entertainment he provided to fans of the beautiful game are difficult to explain. And then he came to Kerala, India, to play an exhibition game, in a place where football is much more than just a sport. During a World Cup, almost…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}