Northeast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali lauds John Abraham's selfless efforts
Northeast United FC are the reigning Durand Cup champions.
In a country where cricketers are worshipped and cricket is a religion, there is a corner in India where football is not just played but lived, and where some of India’s greatest athletes have been born. The Northeastern part of India, including the eight states, has brought several national and international laurels for India.
Over the decades, Indian football has been dominated by clubs from West Bengal and Goa, but in the 2016-17 season, it was Aizawl FC that shocked the country by becoming the I-League Champions. They became the first football team from the Northeast to win a major domestic trophy.
John Abraham’s love for sports has been vivid ever since his Delhi Waveriders days in the Hockey India League. Recognising the region’s love and passion for football and the raw talent it produces, John Abraham took charge of the Northeast United FC franchise in the Indian Super League back in early 2014, and the rest is history.
Praising John Abraham’s selfless efforts, Highlander’s head coach, Juan Pedro Benali, expressed his sincerest gratitude to the four-time Filmfare award winner. In this article, we shall take a look at what the former Sharjah gaffer had to say about John Abraham.
Benali feels Northeast United FC is alive due to John Abraham
There is not the slightest hesitation in admitting that John Abraham’s love for this franchise cannot be measured by any silverware or championships, but by the impact it has created in the Northeastern region of this country to promote sports and football.
John Abraham’s Northeast United had to wait for almost ten years to clinch their first-ever domestic silverware after they won the Durand Cup in 2024. At a time when many ISL clubs chose to rebrand or relocate, John’s love for the Northeast has been extraordinary.
“The most important point at this moment is the survival of football in India. We have a gentleman who is putting money from his pocket. We are not a corporation. A man who does everything to pay us our salaries. I think the minimum he needs is respect and honour. Thank you that Northeast United didn’t disappear.”
Highlanders are languishing at the bottom of the ISL 2026 table
It has not been an easy season so far for the Highlanders. In the last 11 games, Northeast have won just two and are placed third from the bottom of the table. After all, some of their top players, including Hamza Regragui, Bemmamer and Ajaraie, departed the club during such uncertain times.
The former Al Gharafa gaffer, however, feels that winning and losing are part and parcel of this game, and he feels that John Abraham has unconditionally supported this team. From cheering for his team from the stands to celebrating with the players, he is the heart and soul of the franchise.
“Losing games and winning games are part of football. But this gentleman is suffering after putting the money for his children, for the team, and for us. This is the truth.”
Northeast United FC have produced some of the best players for India
Since the inception of this club, some of the greatest footballers in the world, including the World Champion with Spain, Joan Capdevila, Nico Velez and Bartholomew Ogebeche, have played for the club.
But what is even more important is that some of the top-notch Indian players like Lallianzuala Chhangte, Lalengmawia Ralte and many others have featured for NorthEast. From promoting young regional talents in the region to expanding it’s home venue to different states, the Highlanders represent the heart and soul of the region.
“I can only say that we are with you and we are family for this. This is for me, it’s the most important thing in football, honour and loyalty towards John Abraham and Northeast United FC.”
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In addition to writing articles on World and Indian Football, Saikat has also covered tournaments like the Durand Cup, Indian Super League, and Hockey India League. Notably, his exceptional communication skills have seen him interview legendary icons like Olympic 2024 gold medalist Yibbi Jansen, former Real Madrid player Javi Hernandez, and many more such sporting stalwarts.