NorthEast United FC paid a poignant tribute to singer-composer Zubeen Garg during India’s 1-1 draw with Singapore in the Asia Cup football qualifier on Thursday. The club kept one seat empty at the Singapore stadium, honouring the late musician’s love for football.

“FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. A seat left empty. A thousand hearts full! In the stands of Singapore, one chair stood still, for Zubeen Da!” the Highlander Brigade, the club’s supporters, said on social media.

“For the man who sang our dreams, lived our passion, and loved football like life itself; the Brigade paid tribute to the legend in the place where he took his last breath,” the post added.

A number 10 jersey, featuring a photo of Garg playing football and the caption ‘Football is life’, was placed on the empty chair. Garg, 52, died while swimming in Singapore on September 19.

Also read: Two of Zubeen Garg’s PSOs arrested in singer’s death case

The supporters recalled his devotion to the sport: “And even now, his spirit plays on, in every chant, every beat of our drums, every cheer that rises for us!”

Garg’s love for football had taken him from Assam’s muddy fields to Moscow’s grand arenas. “He carried our soul wherever he went for the beautiful game,” the Highlander Brigade added. The singer had travelled to Russia for the FIFA World Cup and often encouraged youth in the Northeast to take up football.

“Football is the game he loved the most. Zubeen Da, you’re not gone. You’re just playing from the skies now. Forever our music. Forever our roar. Forever our Zubeen Da!” the post concluded.