KOLKATA: Former India football team captain Samar Banerjee, who led the Indian football team to fourth place in the 1956 Olympics, has passed away. He was 92 years old. Samar Banerjee, who was fondly called Badru Da, passed away at MR Bangur Hospital in Kolkata at around 2.10 am yesterday after a prolonged illness. Badru Da, who was suffering from diseases, including Alzheimer's, was affected by Covid last July. His health deteriorated following this.
Samar "Badru" Banerjee, a Former Captain of Indian Football as well as Mohun Bagan Ratna, Paid a Parting Visit to Our Club Tent. His Contribution towards Indian Football Will Always Be Treasured.#SamarBanerjee pic.twitter.com/LBqvxjwuYP
— Mohun Bagan (@Mohun_Bagan) August 20, 2022
Being a legend at Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan, Badru Banerjee played for the Green and Maroons between 1952 to 1960, and scored a total of 78 goals for the club, winning five Calcutta Football League titles (1954, 1955, 1956, 1959, 1960), three IFA Shields (1954, 1956, 1959), three Durand Cups (1953, 1959, 1960), one Rovers Cup (1955), and much more.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) condoled the demise of Banerjee.