Mumbai: Mumbai City FC marquee player Diego Forlan made a candid admission on Tuesday that three-month long Indian Super League is beneficial for overseas players like him but “not good enough” for the future of Indian football. The former Uruguayan World Cupper along with fellow India striker Sunil Chhetri advocated a longer league for proper gains.
“It is good for foreign players like me (age, 37) to come for three months and play in this league and go back and enjoy time with family. I do not mind the close gaps between games and constant travelling, as I want to play everyday. But you have to see the future of the players,” Forlan said here on Tuesday.
“All leagues are played for nine to ten months. Playing for the whole year, that’s good. It will be great for everyone to play one league and play the whole year, that will be ideal scenario,” added the 2010 Fifa World Cup Golden Ball winner.
Chhetri also pitched again for a longer league for betterment of Indian football.
“One league is going to be good and everyone understands this. A longer league with 18-20 teams is beneficial for everyone, and a more competitive set-up. It will provide more opportunities for Indian players. I don’t mind whether it is called ISL or I-League or how and when they are going to do it but I am sure they are working on it,” he said. Forlan gave thumbs up to ISL and infrastructure in place but stressed more needs to be done on the larger level.
“Facilities and stadiums are good and I see players doing well, but every player cannot play in the ISL. May be they need to get younger players who would be better to improve Indian football. They need to get good coaches as well,” he said.
After guiding Mumbai City to back-to-back wins initially, Forlan missed three games with an injury.
He came back strong after injury and has been the architect of Mumbai City’s first ever semi-final qualification. “I am enjoying playing here especially when you are winning. Everybody who has had an opportunity has done well.”
