By Gasper Crasto
Goans are appreciated all over the world in different fields, especially Goan footballers have made a mark in every part of our country with their clean game.
One of the finest defenders that Goa produced in our era was Franky Barreto, who is among the few Goans to have played in Goa and Bengal as well.
Franky who dazzled for Vasco Club, Churchill Brothers, Salgaocar, and East Bengal, played either as a sweeper or central defender.
Franky’s list of titles is impressive. He has won major Indian titles at stake with different clubs which includes captaining the prestigious 1997 Federation Cup with Salgaocars where they defeated East Bengal at Salt Lake Stadium silencing over 120,000 East Bengal supporters.
ON THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA
On the international scene, Franky was capped for the India national team 17 times and won the SAFF Cup in 1997.
Franky also remains one of the most highly educated among Goan footballers holding a Masters Degree in Business Management (Strategic Marketing) from the University of Wollongong in Dubai.
Since November 2020, Franky co-founded and works as a Director of Pioneer Sports Academy in Dubai which has more than 150 players in different age groups at 2 different locations, apart from having a women’s team in the UAE FA League.
Earlier, Franky worked as a Manager, Student Services at the University of Wollongong in Dubai for almost 2 decades with a demonstrated history of working in Student Affairs, Sports, Event Management, and Academic Support Services.
DAZZLING CAREER
After starting off with Vasco SC in 1991, Franky went on to play with India’s top outfits including Churchill Brothers, Salgaocar SC and East Bengal.
He played for India in tournaments including the Nehru Cup in 1997, SAFF Cup 1997, and the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.
In all, Franky played at the professional level for 12 long years.
He also represented Goa University, Goa State U-21, and Goa State Senior & Bengal State Senior teams at the prestigious Santosh Trophy tournaments.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Franky was appointed AIFC Middle East Representative (Honorary Position) in 2018.
In 2023, he was appointed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as International scout for the UAE region
In the year 2002, Franky was conferred with the ‘Kerkar Award’, Goa’s highest state sports award by the Government for his outstanding contribution to the field of football.
PRIVATE LIFE
Franky hails from Laxette, Varca, Goa.
He studied at St Mary’s High School, Varca before completing his graduation at Damodar College, Margao.
Frank’s first team was the famous village club CYA, Mobor.
Born to Roque and Rony Barreto, Franky is happily married to Vanora and has two children – daughter Desiree and son Damian.
FACT FILE
1991-92 -
Vasco Sports Club
-Represented Goa University
1992-93 - Churchill Brothers
-Taca Goa
Champions
-Represented Goa U-21 Champions
1993-94 -
Churchill Brothers
-Rockford
Cup Tamil Nadu (Champions)
-Naidhunia
Cup Indore (Champions)
-Represented Goa Seniors for Santosh trophy
1994-95 -
Salgaocar Sports Club
-Winners
- Bandodkar trophy
-Represented
Goa Seniors for Santosh trophy
-Selected U-23 Indian Camp
1995-96 - Salgaocar Sports Club
1996-97 -
Salgaocar Sports Club
-Rovers
Cup (Champions)
-Represented Indian Seniors - Nehru Gold Cup
1997-98 -
Salgaocar Sports Club (Captain)
-Federation
Cup (Champions)
-Represented Indian Seniors (SAFF Cup Champions)
1998-99 -
East Bengal Sports Club
-IFA
Shield & National League runners-up
-Represented
Indian Seniors- Goodwill matches against Uzbekistan
-Represented
Indian Seniors- Asian Games
-Represented Bengal Seniors - Santosh Trophy Champions
1999-2000
- Salgaocar Sports Club (Captain)
-Governor’s
Cup (Champions)
-Rovers
Cup (Champions)
-Durand
Cup (Champions)
-Super Cup (Champions)
2000-2001
- Salgaocar Sports Club (Captain)
-Millennium Cup Champions
2001-2002 -Salgaocar Sports Club
2002-2003
- Vasco Sports Club