India has so many opportunities and possibilities: Ron Vlaar
Footballers are usually remembered for what they do on the field but are very rarely for things they do off it. Holland international Ron Vlaar was recently in India to see how Yojana, an organisation he has supported since he was 20, had helped people in India.
“India is a totally new experience for me. As you know I am an ambassador for Yojana and they do great work in India. I am proud to be part of that because I believe there has to be some changes in this country because this country has so many opportunities and so many possibilities,” Vlaar told the media in an interaction session in Pune.
“The education and the difference between boys and girls has to change because they are the future now especially the children so they need to be developed.I hope everyone can start helping in developing this country.”
Vlaar was honest in saying that he did not know a lot about Indian football but he feels the only way for football to grow in the country was through the youth.
“If India wants to improve, you have to make children curious about football. When you are young you want children to have dreams, to play against each other. Someone plays like Messi, someone wants to be Ronaldo that's how they start imagining about it,” Vlaar added.
Vlaar undecided on future
When asked about last season and his future in club football, Vlaar said he had not decided anything yet
“It was a tough season(at Villa). I had some injuries. I want to play every game and it didn't happen so it was hard sometimes but the most important thing is that we stayed in the Premier League,” he replied.
“I don't know. Even if I knew I cannot tell you but there is nothing going on.I don't know yet,” he said about rumours linking him with Newcastle United.
Messi is the best in the world: Vlaar
In an interactive session with the kids at Bharat FC’s academy, the kids asked him about the Messi-Ronaldo debate. Vlaar did not shy away from the debate stating, “ You know they always ask Messi or Ronaldo and between the two I choose Messi.”
At Villa, Vlaar said the best footballer in Aston Villa was captain Fabian Delph and rated Cannavaro as the greatest defender he had ever seen.