Goa’s footballing history dates back to days when the state was still under Portuguese rule, and emerging from the shadows during the 1960s were some players who are talked about even today.

Perhaps one who doesn’t quite fit that category is the late Visitacao Lobo, who is widely considered as one of the greatest players of his time by his peers.

Known for his clinical finishing and silky skills, the striker was well and truly ahead of his time, and his emergence was a sign that football in Goa was headed in the right direction.

Starting his career at the tender age of 15, Visitacao’s talent was there for all to see, and it wasn’t long before the Parra native was given an opportunity to play for Benfica Club of Mapusa in 1965.

Benfica’s faith in the teenager proved to be a masterstroke, as Visitacao scored goals for fun and soon caught the eye of Sesa Goa.

It is fair to say that the youngster’s move to Sesa really helped him become the best form of himself, as his goals aided the team’s promotion from the second division to the first division of Goan football, and there was no turning back.

Sesa became Champions thanks to Lobo’s brilliance during his time at the club, and his performances earned him a spot in Goa’s Santosh Trophy squad in the year 1968.

Arguably his greatest achievement was yet to come. In the following year, Lobo scored four goals in one game against Kerala, turning heads all around the country, and clearly impressing selectors of the Indian national team.

The writing was on the wall, and Lobo received a call to join the Indian national team for a goodwill tour in Russia, making him one of the first ever Goans to represent India in the sport of football.

Those who know him, speak very highly of him, and fellow Goan football legend Brahmanand Sankhwalkar is one such footballer who remembers the best of Visitacao Lobo.

“He was a visionary,” Brahmanand recalls.

“He had so many strengths. He was a clinical finisher and had tremendous volleys too.

“He represented Goa with pride and for a good 11-12 years he was on the lips of every Goan football fan.”

Brahmanand was himself a goalkeeper with great qualities, and came up against the mercurial Visitacao a few times during matches in Goa.

“I remember playing against him when he was at Sesa,” the Arjuna awardee says.

“I used to study him so closely because he had everything and was such a dangerous player. He would not only score goals but could setup his teammates. He was not a selfish player.”

Visitacao Lobo won several state honours for his tremendous contributions for Goa during his time as a player, and was even conferred with the Jivbadada Kerkar award – the highest honour for sports in Goa.

Post retirement, Lobo helped coach the Junior Nationals team of Goa to its first triumph in the year 1980, and became the first former footballer to be co-opted into the Goa Football Association Executive Committee.

Sadly, the Goan football icon passed away in 2014, but as Brahmanand remembers, he never really lost his spirt even during sickness.

“I went to see him one day when he was sick, and though he looked very different physically, his smile was still the same. His affection touched me and he was so happy to see me.”

Goan football is blessed to have so many icons represent the state at different times, but there can only ever be one Visitacao Lobo, and his legacy will live on forever.