Talimeren Ao, an Indian football legend who turned down Arsenal.

https://preview.redd.it/et1ldkm358de1.jpg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c3e156259656bb7be818805464b980a7b742e56b Dr. Talimeren Ao, born on January 28, 1918, in Changki, Nagaland, was a distinguished figure in Indian football and medicine. He grew up in the Naga Hills, showing remarkable talent in football from a young age, captaining his school teams and winning the best footballer award at the All Assam Inter School Football Championship in 1937. His skills flourished at Cotton College, where he led his team to many local victories In 1943, Ao joined Mohun Bagan AC in the Calcutta Football League. Initially a striker, he soon became a formidable defender, earning the team the nickname "the Great Wall of China." His leadership earned him the captaincy of Mohun Bagan and the Indian national team in 1948. https://preview.redd.it/earu7l8e48de1.jpg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7af67c144e760cae117a6a60c4786f043d7096c8 That same year, he led India in their first post-independence match at the 1948 London Olympics. Despite an offer from Arsenal F.C., Ao chose to pursue medicine, fulfilling a promise to his father. He eventually became the first Naga Director of Health Services, serving until 1978. [Seated in middle](https://preview.redd.it/kucbqorf48de1.jpg?width=1024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ff795158bb0e1f20c22ef1fc6f3b8b09f0e2ba13) Read more: [https://www.espn.in/football/story/\_/id/17899572/doctor-pioneer-footballer-leader-remarkable-story-talimeren-ao](https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/17899572/doctor-pioneer-footballer-leader-remarkable-story-talimeren-ao)