Wait, Mahatma Gandhi plays football? Meet this Brazilian athlete taking the internet by storm

In a country like Brazil, where football is a way of life, players often have iconic names¡ªlike Gabriel Jesus, John Kennedy, and Tsunami (Wenderson de Freitas Soares), among many others. However, one name stands out: Mahatma Gandhi, a player who is certainly grabbing attention.

A midfielder for Trindade Atl¨¦tico Clube, a Brazilian football club, Mahatma Gandhi, whose full name is Mahatma Gandhi Heberpio Mattos Pires, has been making headlines. The 32-year-old footballer has become a social media sensation on the internet.

About Mahatma Gandhi

The Brazilian footballer began his professional career with Atl¨¦tico Clube Goianiense. He made his Serie A debut in 2011 but spent most of the season on the bench. In 2012, he managed seven appearances in the league. The following year, in 2013, he played four matches in Serie B, but he did not feature in any games during the 2014 season. However, he was part of the squad that won the 2014 Campeonato Goiano, making five appearances in the state league.

Famous on social media

A account called "Troll Football" on X (formerly known as Twitter) shared his Google search for the footballer and captioned it, "HE'S BACK!!". The post has garnered 21K likes with many football fans creating memes and having fun.

HE'S BACK!! pic.twitter.com/Yc3Y6lTEg1

¡ª Troll Football (@TrollFootball) February 6, 2025

One user said, "The English better watch out then, he'll liberate them from their own government this time"

The English better watch out then, he'll liberate them from their own government this time

¡ª Pulkit Saraf (@Pulkit_Saraf) February 7, 2025

While another added, "I am worried if he will be non-violent during the game".

I am worried if he will be non-violent during the game.

¡ª Football Stories (@Rajagopalan_who) February 6, 2025

Unusual names in Brazilian football

Interestingly, Brazilian football clubs have a history of players with unique and unexpected names. For instance, one footballer was named John Lennon Silva Santos, after the legendary Beatles singer. Another player, known simply as Pikachu, plays for a different Brazilian team. Other notable names in Brazilian football include Ben-Hur Moreira Peres, Marlon Brando, and Mosquito, as reported by The Telegraph.

The original Mahatma Gandhi and his connection to football

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, widely known as Mahatma Gandhi, is one of the most influential figures in world history. Revered as the "Father of the Nation" in India, he led the country's independence movement through non-violent resistance (Satyagraha), inspiring millions.

Interestingly, Gandhi also had a connection to football. During his time in South Africa (1893¨C1915), he helped establish three teams under the Passive Resisters Football Club, located in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban. Additionally, he was one of the founding members of the Transvaal Indian Football Association in 1896, according to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

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