Mumbai: Football in India was never popular. But in the 90s, David Beckham happened. Soon, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal et al became household names capturing young minds.
Since footballers were rarely spotted in Indian news channels for interviews, teenagers resorted to computer games to feel closer to them. Former France and Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires’ arrival here was a fairy tale moment.
He is in India as the marquee player for FC Goa in the inaugural season of Indian Super League (ISL).
Pires, walking straight out of the virtual world of Electronic Arts (the company that programs FIFA PC games), said, “I don’t feel like a tourist at all. I didn’t know I had so many fans, there is so much of warmth around and I love the spicy food here,” taking all by surprise.
Being aware of the madness surrounding English Premier League in India, he spoke about his golden days in Arsenal and his relationship with manager Arsene Wenger.
“Well, he is aware I am here. He (Wenger) told me I should definitely go and try out after learning about the ISL offer. He is like a father figure to me.
But yes, I doubt if you can bring him here as a coach,” he winked. The former France international has 79 caps between 1996 and 2004 and was a part of the team that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000. The winger had announced retirement in 2011 and is coming out of it only to play in the ISL.
Why? “It is because I am passionate about football and I was getting another chance to do what I love doing,” he said.
Before breaking into a skill show with Zico (another legendary footballer and chief coach of FC Goa) at a city hotel here, much to the fans’ delight, he said that sharing space with greats like Zinedine Zidane and Dennis Bergkamp will now prove beneficial as he can pass on the knowledge to the young Indian footballers.
“The technical knowledge will be shared from Zidane to English Premier League and then, land here in the ISL,” added Pires, who spent six years with Arsenal (2000-2006).
When asked about the current football scenario and the Arsenal then and now, he said, “It is lot different. Players are fitter and the game is faster. But it will not be fair to compare the players from two different times.”
Much like the slow motion replays in the FIFA PC games, the footballer froze time when he had the ball on his feet. He might be 40 but he still has the magic to give the Ozils a run for money.
“There is a lot of pressure but I am liking it, I am a professional. See you soon on the ground,” he said.
