Brian Broby, who scored a brace on his FIFA World Cup debut against Sweden to give the Netherlands a crucial victory, is inspiring. The Dutch striker, whose career was once ruined by his friendship with a notorious criminal, overcame the darkest chapters of his life to lead his country to the light on the World Cup stage with his indomitable will.
While playing for the Ajax club, Broby unknowingly rekindled a friendship with an old school friend, who had already become a notorious criminal accused of serious charges such as murder and drug trafficking. The affair landed Brobie on the police list and his club did not take the matter lightly. “I unknowingly embarrassed my club and people I knew. But I promised everyone that one day I would make my country proud,” Broby told the media.
Broby kept that promise by scoring twice in the first 17 minutes of the match against Sweden on Saturday. This is the second fastest double in World Cup history. Brobby, who got his football lessons at Ajax, Sunderland gave him his real introduction to world football. Physically strong and quick, Broby is an ideal box striker. Brobby vindicated Dutch legend Johan Cruyff’s words on the World Cup stage that “the real job of a striker is to be in the right place at the right time rather than playing good football”.
Broby’s personal life was very turbulent. He faced horrific incidents like running away from a friend’s death at the hands of an unknown assailant, throwing a bomb at his sister’s car, attacking his in-laws’ house and even demanding Rs 2 crore to keep Bisfar in his car. But after all these storms he moved to Sunderland and started life anew.
At just 24 years old, Brian Broby has weathered many of life’s ups and downs, proving that if you have the will, you can come back from darkness to light. His comeback is a great inspiration not only for the Netherlands but for the entire sports world.