Valeriano Rebello

He was not among the high profile footballers from Armando Colaco’s all-conquering team in the new millennium, but this untiring right back was nevertheless an indispensable part of it. Still only in his teens when he was handpicked by the coach, Valeriano Rebello took his time to break into the playing XI but once he did, it was difficult to dislodge him. He was the catalyst for some of Dempo’s best attacking moves and his knack of scoring in the big games, when it mattered most, made him a most valuable player. The Navelim-born defender spent nine seasons at Dempo and was rewarded with a place in the Indian team for the tour of West Indies in 2011.