21-year-old Nishu Kumar is popularly known as ‘Ronaldo Bhai’.

MUZAFFARNAGAR: In the cricket-crazy rural belt of western UP, there are few who are even aware of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia. But in the communally sensitive area of Bhopa in Muzaffarnagar , there lies a pocket where youths and children revere 21-year-old Nishu Kumar , popularly known as ‘ Ronaldo Bhai’, who has made it big in the world of football and recently bagged a contract to play for the prestigious Bengaluru Football Club (BFC) for Rs 1 crore (Rs 40 lakh for the first year, Rs 45 lakh for the second year and Rs 15 lakh as match bonus).Over the years, Nishu, son of a peon at Janta Inter College, has carved out a notable career for himself with sheer grit and determination in the absence of any facility or opportunity in the hinterland. Today, he is inspiring local boys to consider a career in football.“For us, football was the cheapest sport we could play. All it required was a ball. We used to play it in the school ground under the guidance of our school sports teacher. Gradually, I became increasingly involved in the sport. And, one day an opportunity came in the form of trials at Chandigarh Football Club in which I qualified,” says Nishu.His father, a peon in the same inter college where he studied died just a few weeks ago. Media manager of BFC, Kunaal Majgaonkar said, “Nishu is a valuable asset for the club and has made phenomenal improvement as left back ever since he came to the club three years ago. He deserved the contract and will go a long way.”Back home in Bhopa, children and youngsters who have named their hero ‘Ronaldo Bhai’ wait for him eagerly.Sachin Kumar, 16 said, “He is my hero, my icon. We all wait eagerly for his return as he is most of the time away playing matches all over the world. We watch him playing and learn new techniques. Many a time he plays with us and encourages us to work hard.”Gaurav Singh, another teenager said, “He is a constant source of inspiration to us. He always tells us if we complain about lack of facilities it’s our loss. If he can do it, so can we.”Kuldeep Rathi, Nishu’s first coach and sports teacher at Janta Inter College said, “Nishu is exceptional. He practiced day and night. I only guided him with my limited resources and abilities but it was his hard work and determination that made him what he is today. Otherwise, football is unheard of in this region. There is not a single stadium, forget about financial assistance. There is a lot of hidden talent here but government hardly pays attention to this sport.”Nishu’s mother Sita Devi said, “The home allocated to us was at one corner of the ground where children used to play football. Nishu was only 5 years old when he showed a desire to own his own football. For nights together he used to sleep next to it. Football is his life.”It was in 2009 when Nishu had qualified in the trials at Chandigarh Football Academy. Two years later he was selected for All India Football Federation (AIFF) Elite Academy and participated in Tea Tea & Inter Milan Soccer Stars Talent Hunt matches held in Italy.He represented India at under-19 level several times before his association with Bengaluru Football Club (BFC) in 2015.