Roberto Carlos' arrival shows that ISL is moving in the right direction
With Delhi Dynamos FC signing the former Real Madrid and Brazil defender, Roberto Carlos, for the second season of the Indian Super League as a marquee player-manager, the expectations of the Indian fans and players alike will be huge.
Roberto Carlos, who was part of the World Cup-winning Brazil side of 2002, was known for his powerful and curling free kicks and attacking full-back play which made him one of the greatest defenders to have played the game. He was also part of the Brazilian squad which finished runners-up in the 1998 World Cup.
Having retired from football at the age of 39 in August 2012, Carlos started his managerial career with Russian side Anzhi Makhachkla as an interim manager. Later, he would go on to manage Turkish sides Sivasspor and Akhisar Belediyespor.
Greeting India for the first time after signing with the Delhi franchise, Carlos said, “Namaste India I am coming to you, into the club, which is mine now. I want to win together. Delhi Dynamos, Jai Hind.”
FC Goa also added a top Brazilian player to their squad in the form of Lucio. The Brazilian, who has been an inspiration to Brazil during his playing time, will be expected to inspire the Indian youngsters as well.
Is India ready?
The signings are in itself significant as it means that some of the greats will be in India and will be coaching the youngsters. But the real question remains- Is India ready to step up and shine in front of the world? The answer is no!
A tiny nation like Guam with a population of around 700,000 beat India convincingly in the World Cup Qualifiers. Why? It is because India’s domestic football system is a flop. The national team was also not provided with the right time to gel together as a unit.
With the World Cup Qualifiers, the team should have trained for at least two weeks together to even have a shot at doing well. But no! The AIFF would decide otherwise. India desperately needs a change in the football system and ISL provides us with it. The I-League has failed to attract big names and produce good players for the country.
Getting better
India lacks experienced and best coaches. What the ISL brought to the nation in its first season was a chance for the aspiring young players to rub shoulders with the former champions of the game like Piero, Pires, Silvestre, Nesta, Andre Santos.
What the ISL brings in its second season is another chance for the players to play and to learn from the likes of Carlos, Lucio, Simão Sabrosa, Zico, Elano, Anelka, and Materazzi.
The players are going to get the coaching they require to be the best. The big names also bring with them massive global experience and a presence on the sidelines for their teams and players.
It also indicates that the top players are now ready to come to India and do not hesitate. FC Goa’s Romeo Fernandes has also become the first Indian player to play in the Brazilian top-flight by making his debut for Atlético Paranaense. Romeo shone through his performances in the ISL for FC Goa.
More exposure more improvement
The arrival of top names into the league means that India is grabbing the attention of the world and establishing itself as a nation that has potential when it comes to football. For far too long, India has been viewed as a third world country when it comes to organizing sporting events.
Other than the Bayern Munich-Indian National Team friendly, and the Argentina-Venezuela friendly, India has not seen any big clubs or teams touring the country in the recent years.
The league and the arrival of the stars also provides the opportunity to develop the infrastructure and stadiums throughout the country, which will be of great help in organizing matches and attracting big names to India.
So it’s high time that India steps up to face the world with its feet and show the world that they can play more than just cricket.