If late-night chest-thumping, fist-bumping and the occasional wall bang echo through Karan Veer Mehra’s home, chances are Cristiano Ronaldo is on the screen. A diehard admirer of the Portuguese legend, the Bigg Boss 18 and Khatron Ke Khiladi 14 winner watches football with the enthusiasm of a man who has found his own form of meditation through the sport. Yet, unlike many fans caught up in the Ronaldo-Lionel Messi divide, he prefers admiration over allegiance. Speaking about what is widely regarded as Ronaldo’s final World Cup, Karan says, “I wish ki agla wala bhi khele. What I like most about Ronaldo is his dedication on the field and the way he carries himself off it. One of the reasons I am a bigger fan of his is that we are close in age. He and Lionel Messi are among the GOATs of world football. They are still performing at the highest level at an age when most sportspersons have already retired, completely defying that notion in such an intense, high-stakes and physically demanding sport. Their hunger, consistency, and longevity remain unmatched.
Karan Veer Mehra may be an ardent Cristiano Ronaldo fan, but he believes football lovers are fortunate to witness both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the same era. While rooting for Ronaldo, the actor says admiration for one legend should never come at the cost of disliking the other.
‘Both Ronaldo and Messi can produce moments on the field that leave you in awe’Although he roots for Ronaldo, Karan doesn’t subscribe to the tribalism that often defines the debate around the two superstars. He says, “I am not as emotional as today’s kids. If India were playing Portugal, I would support India because that’s where my emotions lie. Both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi can produce moments on the field that leave you in awe. I love Ronaldo, but that doesn’t mean I have to hate Messi. I’m happy to live in a time when I can watch both Ronaldo and Messi.” He laughs while pointing out that he wears the No 10 jersey, which also belongs to Messi. He says, “My birthday is on the 28th, which adds up to 10, so that’s why I wear it. But I don’t really believe in the number game. In our match against Mumbai Police, Tiger Shroff got the No 10 jersey; he’s a Messi fan, so I wore No 20 and still scored All Stars Football Club’s (ASFC) only goal.”
Football is more than just a sport for Karan Veer Mehra. The actor, who discovered his love for the game after joining the All Stars Football Club, calls it his form of meditation, credits it as a stressbuster, and hopes India produces a world-class footballer who inspires the next generation.
‘Cricket was my religion, football became meditation’Football may be an integral part of his life today, but cricket was Karan’s first sporting love. The Bigg Boss 18 winner says, “In India, cricket isn’t just a sport, it’s almost a religion and I worshipped it during my school and college days. I studied in Mussoorie and our school had a gravel ground, so I was always scared of falling. Basketball and cricket were more of my games back then. Football happened much later, around 2011, while I was shooting with Abhishek Bachchan. He was putting together the ASFC with actors from television and films to promote the sport. I got excited about being around people like Ranbir Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur, Arjun Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Shoojit Sircar. I even remember Amitabh Bachchan ji coming to watch us practise once. That’s where the love story began.”
Actor Karan Veer Mehra says football has become an inseparable part of his life, helping him stay fit while also serving as a stress-buster. An ardent Cristiano Ronaldo admirer, he believes the sport teaches discipline, quick decision-making and teamwork, and hopes more youngsters embrace football beyond the digital world.
‘I want to score and win’Starting out as a goalkeeper because of his basketball background, Karan eventually moved into a more attacking role. He shares, “I started as a goalkeeper because I was good at basketball. But I am an aggressive player. I want to score and win. Over time, I became a right winger, almost a forward. I enjoy scoring goals.”Football is now deeply woven into his weekly routine. He says, “I play three or four times a week. It’s a stress-buster and cardio workout rolled into one. Football is meditative for me.” Encouraging youngsters to take up the sport, he adds, “Aaj kal ke bachche are always on their phones and iPads. Football helps you express yourself, stay athletic, and make quick decisions. I encourage my nephews to play whenever I meet them.” ‘We need a world-class footballer’Karan believes Indian football needs sustained investment and a breakthrough star. He says, “Corporates want returns before investing, but sports need money first. We need a world-class footballer who does something extraordinary and inspires others. There is a huge disparity between football and cricket, but hopefully the future is bright.”
Jim Sarbh and Shabir Ahluwalia were spotted at the All Stars Football Club’s Sunday practice session, joining fellow members for their regular training. The weekly meet brings together actors and celebrities who share a passion for football, fitness and camaraderie, ahead of charity matches and sporting events.
Dream XI:Karan says, “It’s impossible to pick just eleven because football is a sport where anyone can suddenly shine and leave you amazed. I would pick Luka Modrić, Eden Hazard, Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho Gaúcho and Ronaldo Nazário. Among actors, my picks would include Ranbir Kapoor, Caesar Gonsalves, Shoojit Sircar, Vivian Dsena, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhimanyu Dassani and Ibrahim Ali Khan.” Most unforgettable World Cup moments:He says, “It was watching Messi lift the FIFA World Cup in 2022. But I’m hoping for an even better moment if Ronaldo gets his hands on the trophy this time. I also remember Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, which people debated for years, discussing who was at fault and whether Zidane had been provoked.”
