Atletico de Kolkata's marquee signing and former Liverpool and Spanish international Luis Garcia is optimistic that the Indian Super League (ISL) will be a big hit in future as well and won't be a one season wonder, though the Kolkata captain, in an interview with IBNLive Sports, admits Indian football is still far from the level required at world stage and AIFF has to work towards improving the game's infrastructure in the country.
How has been your experience in the Indian Super League so far? Are you happy with the support of the fans?
It has been a great experience so far. The league has started in a good way for us [Kolkata], stadiums are full of passionate supporters and we feel the enthusiasm of the people for football everywhere we go.
Do you think Indian Super League can survive in a cricket-crazy country and can you seen Indian players playing in other leagues around the world?
ISL is a very attractive challenge, new league, many big names on it, amazing country hungry of football, you can't ask for many more things. Hopefully ISL will continue many years and we will see Indian players signing for teams around the world.
Do you think the favourites tag adds extra pressure to young Indian players in the Kolkata squad?
Our team is right now on top of the table, so that means our Indian players are doing great.
You said ISL will benefit Indian football but surely there must be some suggestion you would like to give to AIFF.
We don't know what is going to happen in the future but the most important thing is to build up a strong infrastructure in the country, and one strong league where the players can become better players every year. I think ISL will be a hit in future and will help Indian football develop.
Where do you rank Indian players in the league?
Like I said, the most important thing is a good and solid infrastructure with more academies around the country where young kids can have the opportunity to learn and improve from the early ages, and football will become more professional in a short period. Indian players are looking fine but they need to improve more and more as the time passes by.
Kolkata have partnership with the La Liga champions Atletico Madrid - do you think Atletico can win the Spanish league this year as well?
Atletico de Madrid is not a contender, they are a candidate, the team to beat, and they are one of the best in the country. They had one of the best season in their history last year and they will be there at the end of this one as well fighting for the trophy.
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