Goa, June 9 -- Uruguay international footballer Maximiliano Araujo, who is expected to represent his country at the FIFA World Cup 2026, is reportedly connected to Goa through his family ancestry, sparking excitement among football enthusiasts in the state.

According to accounts of his family's history, Araujo's grandfather, Redualdo Araujo, is believed to have hailed from Loutolim, Goa, before migrating to Angola. The family is said to have later moved through Brazil before eventually settling in Uruguay, where Maximiliano Araujo was born and went on to establish himself as a professional footballer.

The reported ancestral link has generated considerable interest in Goa, a state renowned for its deep passion for football and its rich s...