Spain leading contender for Euro 2016: Luis Garcia
Kolkata, Sep 28 (IANS) Spanish soccer star Luis Garcia believes the days of struggle for Spain's national football team are over and, riding on young and exciting talent, the 2010 World Cup winners will be one of the leading contenders for the Euro 2016.
Interacting with the media here Sunday, the Atletico de Kolkata's marquee player singled out Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke and Real Madrid attacking medio Isco as the players to watch for.
"Spain has been at the top for the last six-seven years and it is difficult to be consistent for a long time... that is why they probably crashed out at the World Cup. There had to arrive a moment when things don't go well and probably the World Cup was that moment," Garcia said on posers about the Spain's first round exit from this year's World Cup.
"People will have their opinion, but I don't think Spain will struggle anymore. There are many many young and upcoming players to shoulder the responsibilities. There is Koke, Isco and Spain is going to be the leading contender for the Euro (2016)," said the former Barcelona and Liverpool star.
Asserting that the 'tiki-taka' style of touch football has not gone obsolete, Garcia, however, promised that Atletico de Kolkata fans will get to see flashes of the Spanish magic.
"For sure we will have our moments... everybody loves to see tiki-taka, but it is not so easy. That is why only two teams - Barcelona and probably Bayern Munich - have mastered it. For that, all the players have to be talented, you need the quality and the understanding and it is difficult to find that in a team, so not every team can do that," added Garcia.
Talking about the Indian Super League (ISL), Garcia said he was looking forward to the tournament and hoped to play a part in contributing to the growth of Indian football.
The Ateltico de Kolkata players recently returned after a month's training in Spain and will take on Mumbai City FC in the opening game of the inaugural ISL at the city's Salt Lake Stadium Oct 12.