Elano was the best of them, the former Brazil international scored eight for Chennnaiyin, while former Arsenal left-back Andre Santos was impressive for second place (in the regular league) Goa. Alessandro Del Piero, Nicolas Anelka, Robert Pires and David Trezeguet may be veterans, and in some cases actually retired, but to sign equally famous names who were 10 years younger would take more money than even these franchise owners were able to spend. Each of the eight franchises – owned by Bollywood actors, big businesses or European clubs like Kolkata’s Madrid parent, or a combination of all three – hired big name stars to bring in the crowds and the sponsors. This eight-team tournament lasted for just two months with the top four entering the semi-finals of the play-offs.
Or perhaps it doesn’t really matter and football was the winner. Perhaps the trophy should have gone to relative virgin territory, like beaten finalist Kerala Blasters – based in the deep south and led by David James. Or perhaps the opposite should have been the case. Perhaps it was fitting that the first ever title went to Atletico, the Spanish-influenced club representing the city at the heart of the hotbed of love the subcontinent has for the game.
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