Sad news about former Goan football star Anthony Rebello passing away in Goa on 20th March 2023.
He worked for over 20 years in Kuwait, before retiring from his last company Tanagra (Habchi & Chalhoub) some 6 years back and going home.
He was ever so involved with football, and also patronized dramas and other Goan events.
Rebello had high regard and respect for footballers; he could easily recognize class.
I had the privilege of spending some precious moments with the great personality.
Goan community and friends in Kuwait expressed deep sadness on his death which came after a brief illness.
May God rest his soul in eternal peace and grant him highest place in heaven.
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Rebello first took to football with the famous Panvel Football Club in the mid 70’s while he was still in school at St. Xavier’s, Curtorim. However, the Bandodkar Gold Cup winners in 1974, closed down the club before Rebello could make his debut.
He soon joined Mandovi Shipyard in the senior division, and joined Salgaocar FC three years later in 1977.
He played top-class football for the next 10 years till a knee injury forced his early retirement in 1987.
His combination with Salgaocar defenders Oscar Rebello, Norbert Gonsalves and Derick Pereira was one of the best seen in Goan football.
The name ‘Anton Rebel’ itself brought fear to opponents, he played like someone possessed.
Much of the credit in shaping Anthony Rebello to become the best that he was went to Salgaocar’s legendary coach T. Shanmugam.
As a child, I have personally seen Anton Rebello playing for Salgaocars at Rajendra Prasad stadium - rising up even above goalkeepers to head in beautiful goals.
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Rebello was much feared by Bengali and Punjabi players, no one dared to trick him.
It was not long before Rebello was selected to play for India.
In 1982, Rebello featured in the India squad for the President’s Cup in Seoul, South Korea, and Merdeka Cup in Malaysia.
Rebello was one of the key players of the unforgettable champion Goa Santosh Trophy squad of 1984 that emerged victorious without conceding a single goal.
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After working for Salgaocars for a couple of years in Goa after giving up the game, Rebello sought greener pastures in Kuwait.
He continued to play till 2002, and coached teams like Curtorim United and others, winning many trophies.
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Rebello was also known for his long-range goals.
I remember, Navelim had conducted a contest at Rosary Grounds for the ‘Longest Kick’ during one of the inter-village finals which featured Rebello’s Curtorim Gymkhana.
It must be in the early 80’s soon after the Navelim goalposts had changed to the present direction.
Anthony Rebello was the winner of that contest with a kick that landed in the opposite D-Area.
During his time, Rebello was such a huge super star and an awesome personality; he had a great fan following – unseen among today’s stars.
Once (am told), Rebello had just returned home after playing for India, and he had a wedding to attend on the evening he reached.
When people saw Anthony Rebello arriving at the reception hall, everyone ran to greet the star leaving the bridal couple awestruck.
Such was Rebello’s aura, stardom and celebrity status those days!