Shillong, Aug 14: A 7-year-old boy from Mawryngkneng is living the dream of countless football players, not just in Meghalaya, but across India. Samborlang Rynjah, aka Martinez Junior, has become the talk of the town, capturing the hearts of many with his remarkable goalkeeping skills.
It all began when Samborlang’s uncle started filming him as he played football with his friends on a small, muddy patch of land outside their home. Little did they know, these casual recordings would turn Samborlang into an internet sensation. His talent caught the attention of the Indian Super League (ISL), but what truly catapulted him to fame was when Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez, the 2022 World Cup-winning goalkeeper and widely regarded as the best in the world, shared one of Samborlang’s goalkeeping clips with his 14.6 million followers.
The moment the clip hit social media, Samborlang became a household name. News outlets, YouTubers, football clubs, politicians, and fans all, flocked to meet the young goalkeeping prodigy. His story spread like wildfire, catching the attention of football clubs and academies around the world. Rumors swirled about interest from major clubs in Saudi Arabia and Sweden, but after careful deliberation, Samborlang and his family made the decision to sign with Minerva Football Academy in Punjab, where he will undergo a ten-year training program.
From a modest muddy field infront of his house to being noticed by a World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Samborlang’s journey is nothing short of an award winning movie.
Samborlang was set to officially join Minerva Football Academy on Wednesday, and as he embarks on this new chapter, the question on everyone’s mind is whether this 7-year-old will rise to become one of India’s greatest goalkeepers, bringing pride and honour not only to Meghalaya but to the entire nation.
