From being an unknown entity, Andre Moritz became an instant hit in the inaugural Indian Super League season with his inspirational hat-trick for Mumbai City FC in their first home game at DY Patil Stadium against state rivals FC Pune City.
However, injuries hampered his progress and he couldn’t generate the same magic as Mumbai City FC failed to qualify for the semi-finals last year. Now, he has come back to Mumbai City on loan from Korean club Pohang Steelers with greater resolve — for the love of Mumbai, the club and the friendships he has made there.
“The hat-trick remains my best memory; life-wise, the friends I’ve made in the past year, and the city itself. What brought me back was Mumbai City FC — the club, the friendships and that feeling that it wasn’t enough, what we did last year,” Moritz said.
The 29-year-old attacking midfielder knows his club has many attacking options available this season and he has to grab every opportunity to lift Mumbai City’s performance graph.
“I guess people expect better from me this season, I expect better from me as well. Last year, I had the feeling that we failed. I got injured twice and missed some games. Pressure is there every time in high-level sport. I have two or three more players fighting for my position so I just need to be calm and prepare myself psychologically,” he added.
Moritz has a decade-old club experience behind him having played for Brazilian, Turkish and English clubs but he feels ISL was on par with top leagues in its first edition.
“For me, the first season of the ISL was a huge success. Maybe the quality on the pitch was a little less, but the organisation, everything the league provided us was at the same level as English football,” he revealed.
The Brazilian footballer of Italian descent had a long pre-season with Mumbai City in Dubai and Mumbai and he is already missing his family with ISL 2 just in its first week.
“My family is my life, I’m really close to my parents and the same happens with my brothers — I have a total of four nephews and the fifth one is on the way! I miss them a lot but it is part of the job to stay far away from them. Once I have holidays, I will go back to my country to spend time with them,” he said.
The six-foot-one-inch towering footballer keeps things simple when he is not playing football — the game full of glamour in Brazil.
“My lifestyle is easy going, I like reading, watching films, going to the movies, having my coffee. I like being with my family, enjoying my time with them. When I’m away, I tend to read books and watch films,” he said.
Notable teams: Fluminense (2006-2007), Crystal Palace (2012-2013), Bolton Wanderers (2013-2014)
The Quick fire
Favourite Hollywood actor: Denzel Washington
Favourite destination: Back home, Florianopolis in Brazil.
Favourite pastime: I like to watch Basketball or American football.
Favourite cuisine: Has to be the Brazilian barbeque
Best footballer ever: Brazilian Ronaldo, the phenomenon
