Vinith Venkatesh: A Bengaluru boy chasing his dream

If you had asked most fans at the end of last season whether Bengaluru FC would bounce back this strong, you might’ve gotten a few hopeful nods — but not many confident yeses. And yet, here we are, at the end of a season that saw the Blues go from a team in transition to genuine title contenders.

Under head coach Gerard Zaragoza, Bengaluru found their identity again. They played with structure, belief, and something they seemed to miss for a while — joy. Finishing runners-up in the Indian Super League and making it to the Durand Cup semifinals wasn’t just about results. It was a statement. BFC wasn’t just rebuilding. They were rising.

What stood out this season wasn’t just the tactical clarity or the improved performances. It was the spotlight on Indian talent. Youngsters weren’t just making up the numbers — they were making a difference. One name that kept coming up in the stands and conversations was Vinith Venkatesh. A local boy living his dream, Vinith played with heart, hunger, and a spark that’s hard to miss.

We caught up with Vinith to talk about growing up with football in his veins, what it means to play for his hometown club, and how he's chasing that big dream — pulling on the India jersey one day.

⁠Pixel Sports: Tell us a bit about your early days — where did your football journey begin?

Vinith Venkatesh: It all started when I was five years old. I used to go to the ground opposite my home and play there from morning to evening. I used to attend summer camps, and then I joined BFC in 2013. Since then, I have been with BFC.

PS: You’re a Bengaluru boy playing for Bengaluru FC — how special is that feeling for you?

VV: It’s a great feeling, playing for your home club in front of your home fans. I feel pleased to be with BFC and feel special, as there are not many local players in the club right now. And for me, coming through the Academy to the First Team, it’s always a proud feeling.

PS: ⁠How has the support from local fans and family shaped your footballing growth?

VV: The local fans have been very supportive of me. The love they’ve shown me is fantastic, and obviously, family is the reason why I am here. They are the reason why I am here; the love and support they have shown me made me stronger and motivated me to prove myself.

PS: Can you share any memorable moments with BFC — on or off the pitch?

VV: I have many good memories at the club. The first one was when we lost the U13 final against Reliance in the I-League youth division, and then we won the BDFA Super Division, with me as captain of the team. It was a great success for me and the team. My ISL debut goal against East Bengal – I have many good memories from that match.

PS: Sunil Chhetri has inspired generations. Any personal moment or advice from him that stayed with you?

VV: Sunil Bhai has inspired me and so many others in many ways. I have received a lot of advice from him. He tells me what to do in training, points out mistakes and tells me what I can improve on. He has inspired me in terms of how he takes care of his body, the food he eats, and how he recovers.

PS: Any particular match or moment from this season that stands out?

VV: It has to be my debut game against East Bengal. The game was special for me, and scoring on my ISL debut made it memorable. I will cherish it for the rest of my life.

PS: What does a day in your life look like during the season?

VV: Breakfast at 7 AM, 7:30 AM go to training, and train from 8:45 for two hours. After training, I take an ice bath, then return to the room, have lunch, take a brief nap, and head to the gym. I then have some chai, then dinner, and talk to my parents before going to bed again. That’s a day in my life.

PS: Do you see yourself breaking into the Indian national team setup soon?

VV: I think I am capable of being in the National Team. I believe that I can be there in the squad. I must work hard for that and on what I have to improve in training and the aspects which I have to improve, including my physique. I have some time off to work on my body, and next season, I hope to be knocking at the doors of the National Team.

PS: If not football, what would Vinith Venkatesh be doing today?

VV: I think maybe a chef; I love cooking.

PS: One message you’d like to give to the young footballers of Karnataka dreaming like you once did?

VV: Keep working hard, stay disciplined and don’t stop dreaming. The more you dream, the greater the chances of achieving them. Just do the right things.

**This interview was originally published in the May edition of Pixel Sports (Print)