October 11, 2025

Panaji is buzzing with pride as Francis D’Souza, once Goa’s daring football star, is set to bag the Goa Football Association’s lifetime achievement award. Known as 'Matari', Francis broke the mold in the 1970s and 80s when most players played football for job security, plying their trade with clubs that offered steady employment like Salgaocar or Dempo. But Francis had fire in his belly. He made football his career, even when his first paycheck from Dempo in 1974 was a modest Rs 400. His bold move paid off. In 1979, he became Goa’s first professional footballer, joining the legendary Mohun Bagan in Kolkata. This fearless spirit has finally been recognized. At the GFA Awards Night in Taleigao, with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant attending, Francis will become the third winner of this special award. The previous stars to win this honor were defenders Socorro Coutinho (2023) and Nicholas Pereira (2024). In a past interview with TOI, Francis explained his unique outlook: "I always approached football as a professional. I had seen my colleagues whose desire to excel died down after they secured jobs (with companies that ran the clubs). They were talented players, but stagnating. My thinking was different. I had to constantly perform and survive." Francis’s trophies and honors say it all. He proudly wore the national team jersey, dazzled for top clubs in Goa and Kolkata, and even scored unforgettable goals. He stands alone as the only footballer to win the prestigious Santosh Trophy for both Goa and Bengal. When asked if money pulled him to Kolkata, Francis laughed it off. "The motivation to go to Kolkata was never money. I was already winning trophies with Dempo and was a regular with the national team. I wanted to be among the best players, competing for the biggest prizes," he said. Born in Saligao, Francis’s journey began humbly with Don Bosco Oratory, then Panvel SC, where he bagged the Bandodkar Gold Trophy. Dempo, a club he adored, gave him his big break. Mohun Bagan’s call five years later changed his life, as he spent four glorious years winning trophies there and with Mohammedan Sporting Club. He returned to Dempo in 1984 and retired in 1988, stepping into coaching and even becoming a top national referee. Francis D’Souza’s story is not just about football—it’s about passion, guts, and blazing a trail. Now, with the GFA lifetime achievement award in hand, this football legend’s legacy shines brighter than ever.

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Tags: Francis d’souza, Goa football association, Gfa lifetime achievement award, Indian football, Mohun bagan, Santosh trophy,