ISL 2016: Diego Forlan believes that Indian football would benefit from a merged League
Mumbai City’s marquee star Diego Forlan has conquered the imagination of football fans all across the globe and that has not changed upon his arrival in India. After an indifferent start to the ISL season, the Uruguayan has returned to take his team to the top of the table and confirm their maiden qualification for the playoffs. However, his tryst with Indian food has not met with the same fate.
“I don’t like spicy food. The other day we went to a wedding and these guys said the food wasn’t spicy but it was very spicy for me. My mouth was burning. It’s not like in my country we don’t eat spicy food. My brother loves spicy food. See Sunil is laughing”, he said.
Table toppers, Mumbai City FC are just three days away from locking horns with second placed, Delhi Dynamos- a keenly anticipated clash between two of the most cohesive teams in this year’s Indian Super League. Both these sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the capital city last time around.
Asked if the Indian Super League will improve Indian football, Forlan replied, “Well, I can see some very good players. I think they need to sort it out, between the other league and this league. Maybe in the future, they can get some good, young players from the lower leagues as well”.
While Diego doesn’t mind playing for three months, the former Atletico Madrid striker said it’s important to look at the bigger picture.
“It will be good if all the leagues come together. Playing for three months is not good. For me, it’s great because you can play three months and I am 37 years old. But if you see the leagues around the world, they play for 9-10 months. They play around 40-50 games. For example, Sunil can play for us then go back (to Bengaluru FC) but changing from one team to another is not the best”, he added.
Mumbai’s marquee player had nothing but positive words to say about his experience in India- “I really enjoy playing here. The staff and all the people working for the club have been great. We’re like a family. My experience with the coaches and players has been really good”.
“When you’re winning and you enjoy training, it’s great. A couple of days ago, we were discussing (about their 10-day gap before they play their final league fixture), I don’t like it. I prefer playing because you start thinking. Sometimes you have to rest but this is too long for us. I prefer having games together”, he concluded.
Mumbai will play Delhi on Saturday, 3rd December at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri.
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