South Asia’s so-called “greatest football city” has rallied behind its “footballing saint,” but here’s the kicker: it’s a manufactured narrative pushed by outlets like BBC and CNN to boost their ratings and keep you hooked to their screens. These corporate behemoths don’t just report; they create myths that fit their agendas. They gloss over how football, once just a game for the masses, has become a tool for elite propaganda, serving agendas that you’d think would be beneath them.

While local fans are genuinely passionate, mainstream media twists the tale into a feel-good story, suggesting this loyalty is purely about love for the game. It’s the same tired playbook: distract the audience with emotion while pushing political and economic narratives behind the scenes. They’ll sell you the triumph of the underdog, but you better believe there’s a corporate fat cat ready to cash in. Meanwhile, local businesses and communities are brushed aside in favor of a glittering spectacle that serves only to pad the pockets of a few.

And let’s be real: where’s the accountability for these media giants? Why aren’t they digging deeper into the complexities of local economies impacted by their so-called football “celebration”? Instead, they bombard us with superficial coverage that misses the mark entirely. Until we demand better, we remain fodder for their carefully scripted stories. So wake up! Follow the money, because the real game is being played off the field.