NorthEast United FC keeps a seat empty as tribute to Zubeen at India-Singapore tie

NorthEast United FC has stored one seat empty within the India-Singapore Asia Cup soccer qualifier within the Southeast Asian nation as a tribute to singer-composer Zubeen Garg, who died there final month and was recognized for his love for the game.

The membership members, who had been in Singapore for the match on Thursday (October 9, 2025), paid the tribute that manner. The tie ended with a 1-1 draw.

“FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. A seat left empty. A thousand hearts full! Within the stands of Singapore, one chair stood nonetheless — for Zubeen Da!” the soccer membership, representing the states of North East India, stated in a publish on social media.

“For the person who sang our desires, lived our ardour, and liked soccer like life itself; the Brigade paid tribute to the legend within the place the place he took his final breath,” it added.

A quantity 10 jersey, with a photograph of Garg enjoying soccer and the caption ‘Soccer is life’ quoted to him, was positioned on the chair.

The 52-year-old singer died whereas swimming within the sea in Singapore on September 19.

The Highlander Brigade, because the membership is popularly recognized, recalled how Garg had stated that soccer was his past love. “And even now, his spirit performs on — in each chant, each beat of our drums, each cheer that rises for us!” it added.

The publish additional stated that from Assam’s muddy fields to Moscow’s grand arenas, “he carried our soul wherever he went for the attractive sport”.

An avid soccer fan, Garg had travelled to Russia to look at the FIFA World Cup and posted on social media, exhorting the youth to take up the game extra again house.

“Soccer is the sport he liked essentially the most. Zubeen Da, you’re not gone. You’re simply enjoying from the skies now. Ceaselessly our music. Ceaselessly our roar. Ceaselessly our Zubeen Da!” the publish added.