Bollywood star
Shroff, who has yet to make an appearance in the first two Group E matches, witnessed Mumbay FC suffer two heavy defeats, losing 0-5 to Langsning and then facing another 0-5 loss against Shillong Lajong. As a result, the team has already been eliminated from the tournament.
In a video shared on the club's Instagram account, Shroff expressed his disappointment, stating, "Really, really unfortunate, but a work commitment has come up at the last moment, so I won't be able to make it to Shillong for the Durand Cup." He added, "I was really looking forward to playing for my team, Mumbay FC, but unfortunately I won't be able to make it. All the very best to everybody out there. The tournament has been amazing. All the very best, Mumbay FC. Kill it, boys."
Mumbay FC's Struggles in the Tournament
Founded in 2024, Mumbay FC competes in the Mumbai Premier League and the I-League 3, which is the fourth tier of Indian football. The club has faced challenges in the ongoing Durand Cup, with their early exits raising concerns among fans and management alike.
Shroff has been a part of Mumbay FC since its inception, regularly participating in the Mumbai District League. His journey into football began when co-owner Zoheb Amrani recognized his potential during an influencers' league in 2023, which also included notable figures like actor Ranbir Kapoor and former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
A Commitment to Competitive Football
What started as a casual interest in the sport has evolved into a serious commitment for Shroff, who has shown a keen desire to engage in competitive football. Amrani noted, "I got his CRS (Centralised Registration System) registration done. I explained to him that this is not some ordinary tournament that you just go and play in. There's proper registration, there's a proper ID card, and there's a proper referee who checks everything. I must say he was very professional."
As Mumbay FC looks to regroup after their disappointing start in the Durand Cup, the absence of their star player adds another layer of complexity to their campaign. Fans will be hoping for a turnaround in the team's fortunes as they continue to navigate the challenges of the tournament.
