Emiliano Martinez’s influence: Samborlang Rynjah’s remarkable rise in football

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 24, 2024

Samborlang Rynjah, a 6 years old who is inspired by Emiliano Martinez, Argentina’s renowned goalkeeper, was the talk of the town when Martinez shared a video of the little boy on his Instagram story.

The video now has 1.1 million views and 21k comments on Instagram account @sambor_7

Rynjah put on his gloves as he prepares to take on his opponent who is ready to score; with razor-sharp focus on the ball, he saves the goal! Those who saw his reflexes for the first time were astonished as those hands and feet, managed to save a goal. His audience were his family and well-wishers cheering for him on the sides.

Small, running barefoot, at his home in Mawryngkneng, Rynjah is shy and hardly speaks but when it comes to the game, he goes all out.

Why he loved football? What did he see in football? He said, “Martinez.” The aspiring footballer dreams of meeting Martinez. Rynjah studies in class 1 and is good in studies, as told by his mother.

In a conversation with his mother, Kyntiewlang Rynjah, recalled that when he was 2 years old, she noticed that he was skillful in football and encouraged him.

She said, “I recognize his talent in football as he often asks me to buy soccer balls, and does not show any interest in any other toys. The way he kicks the ball and his strength was noticeable. He loves watching football on my mobile.”

With his mother working, it was his cousin, Banshailang Rynjah also a goalkeeper, took videos of his young cousin’s talents, not knowing the impact of his videos, only to be flabbergasted when Martinez, with over 13.5 million followers shared it on his Instagram.

His family knows his fondness for Martinez.

Banshailang said, “I am a goalkeeper and I noticed his skills. I took his video and released it on Instagram, it became viral and many extended their support.”

As a family, they want him to pursue his football career.

Banshailang further said, “A coach from Lajong Football Club called and wanted Sambor in the club for under-8 tournament. Minerva Academy also approach and offered a trial. They will monitor his performance in Chandigarh.”

So far, no one from the government approached the family.

Secretary of Mawryngkneng Cultural and Sports Club, Shiningstar Kharbihkhiew said, “We were surprised at the viral videos. It was even more surprising for us is when football star and Argentina’s footballer (Emiliano Martinez) shared Sambor’s video on his Instagram story. His talent is now visible across globe.”

He said that Mawryngkneng also produced a star footballer –Luckystar Lawai who is currently in Jamshedpur.

The Club welcomes Samborlang to be part of the grassroot team in Mawrynkneng held every Friday and Saturday.

He urge other clubs and academy in the state to assist him as well as the government to hand-hold him ensuring that he earns a livelihood as a footballer.