Mumbai: Mumbai City FC have been one of the biggest let downs in the Indian Super League. The club have failed in last two seasons to qualify for the semifinals despite boasting talents like Freddie Ljungberg, Nicolas Anelka alongside India’s best player Sunil Chhetri.
The arrival of Diego Forlan, however, has changed things. There is now a renewed sense of optimism around the club. The former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid player is a proven match-winner.
Diego won the Golden Ball Award at the 2010 FIFA World Cup for helping his team finish fourth, Uruguay’s best performance since the 1974 edition. He also scored two goals in the 2011 Copa America final to gift Uruguay their first continental title since 1995.
The star striker, who had offers from England and Spain, said he was looking for a new challenge and is happy to be in India.
“I had different offers but I preferred coming here (India),” said Forlan.
The Uruguayan said he had seen ISL games on TV before and is excited to play in India.
“I have been watching some (ISL games) before on the news when I was living in Japan and when I was living in Uruguay.
“I think it’s growing and they (organisers) are trying to make it an important sport here,” added Forlan.
The striker is well aware of Mumbai City’s dismal past and is hoping to turnaround the club’s fortunes in the 2016 ISL.
“We know the club didn’t qualify (for semiifinals) the last two seasons. So, the players are looking forward to that challenge to qualify and to do our best for the league,” said Diego.
Forlan had the opportunity to train with City’s Indian players during the pre-season in Dubai. The striker is impressed with quality of Indian players and feels they are going to play a vital role for the team.
“We had a very good pre-season and we have really good Indian players. We are looking forward for having a good season.
“I have been training with them (Indian players) and you can see there’s some talent in players and they understand the game,” said Forlan.
Diego also commented on the format of ISL. The striker stressed that it is going to be a tough season for Mumbai City, as the team would be playing many games in a short period.
“The way they are doing it, it’s new for me. It’s like a little bit more than the World Cup. When I played (World Cup) in 2010, we stayed there for a whole month. In this case, it’s going to be two months.
“It’s really difficult league because you play many games in a short period. Everybody needs to be fit because this is going to be a difficult season for everybody,” added Forlan.
Mumbai City’s new head coach Alexandre Borges agreed with Diego. Borges said the club have around 20 good players to compete in the ISL. However, he is concerned about the players who would join the squad later from Bengaluru FC.
Borges also took a dig at I-League club Bengaluru FC for the injury sustained by Lalchhuanmawai Fanai and Udanta Singh. Both players were recently signed from Bengaluru FC.
“I am crossing my fingers. We have already two players injured from there.
“We have to wait for both of them at least one month,” said Borges.
Talking about the pressure on him to perform, where Ljungberg and Anelka have failed, Diego said he does not believe in comparisons.
“I am not comparing (myself) to anybody. I am trying to do the thing that I have to do. I will try to play my best. I don’t know about other players,” added Forlan.
Reflecting on his career and his past achievements with the national team, Diego said he is happy to have won the World Cup Golden ball, but winning a trophy with the team is more important.
“The trophy that you win with the team is the best one. It’s a team game. It is always nice to win things but always to win the title is the best.”
