Fortunato Franco, one of the pillars of India’s last Asian Games gold medal-winning football team in 1962, passed away in Goa on Monday.

He was 84 and is survived by his wife, son and daughter. Franco survived Covid-19, tested negative, came out of the ICU and then suffered a massive heart attack.

One of India’s finest midfielders (half-back in 1960s parlance), Franco was part of Indian football’s golden era between 1960 and 1964.

He was a part of the 1960 Rome Olympics squad but didn’t get a game. However, he was an integral member of the 1962 Asian Games gold medal-winning team in Jakarta.

He made 26 appearances for India, including the 1964 Asian Cup, where India finished runners-up, and the silver and bronze medal-winning sides of the 1964 and 1965 Merdeka Cup.

But his best performance was in the 1962 Asian Games where Indian football witnessed its finest hour, beating South Korea 2-1 in the final in Jakarta in front of 100,000 people.

While the more illustrious quartet of PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami, Tulsidas Balaram and Jarnail Singh hogged the limelight, Franco would forever be remembered for providing the assist that enabled Jarnail to make it 2-0 after PK Banerjee had given India the lead. A measured free-kick found Jarnail and the legendary defender went past two rival players before slamming it home. Franco was ‘close friend’ Balaram’s roommate then.

At the domestic level, Franco, a Goan, played his best years for the powerful Tata Football Club in Mumbai. He worked with the Tatas in their public relations department for four decades before retiring in 1999.

He was probably the tallest name in Maharashtra football, having captained the state for eight successive years between 1959 and 1966 in the Santosh Trophy and was the architect of their 1964 triumph.

During his last years in competitive football, he played for Goan giants Salgaocar but a knee injury cut short his career even before he was 30. Had Franco not retired from international football in 1965, old timers believe that he could have led India in the 1966 Bangkok Asian Games.

“It is devastating to hear that Fortunato Franco is no more. He was a member of Indian football’s golden generation who played a stellar role in India helping India win the gold medal in 1962 Asian Games,” AIFF president Praful Patel said.

“His contribution to Indian football can never be forgotten. I share the grief,” he added.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) also condoled Franco’s demise. “The Indian Olympic Association condoles the demise of legendary footballer, former India midfielder Olympian and member of 1962 Jakarta Asian Games gold medal-winning team, Fortunato Franco. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and dear ones. May his soul find eternal peace.”