Alberto Noguera Interview: Mumbai City midfielder speaks on ISL, Atletico and Champions League Hopes

Mumbai City FC's outstanding ISL campaign this season saw them winning the ISL shield as they topped the regular ISL league table.

Out of their overseas stars, Spanish player Alberto Noguera played an important part. The 33-year-old just completed his third season in India. Playing at the heart of MCFC's midfield, he did well in his debut season with the Mumbai club.

He started his journey with FC Goa for a couple of seasons, and then switched a bit further north along the West Coast to arrive in Mumbai.

Noguera's season with Mumbai City has been a successful one. He scored 4 goals in the campaign and started 6 matches for them, while 13 more from the substitutes bench.

The Madrid-born player started his career with Atletico Madrid, and since then have played for Blackpool (England), Racing Santander (Spain), Numancia (Spain) and other clubs.

MyKhel had the opportunity to sit with Noguera recently, where he opened up about his career, experience in India, and some important message for Indian youngsters. Here is an edited extract from the interview-

On his ISL Experience

"They have no difference, it's all the same. The ISL is improving. I feel La Liga or Premier League are bigger as they have started before. But ISL is doing well. They have a lot of room to grow and they're doing it."

Mumbai City's Next Season Objectives

"The expectations are the same. We're here to try to win everything. We will try to do better than this year. Sometimes you can't get success every day, this year play AFC Champions League and I think we're ready."

India's Football Potential

"India have a lot of potential. They have very good young players and they just need time and trust. In Spain, the culture is different. Here in India, Cricket is the first sport and maybe football is not the first option always," he added.

On La Liga and their work in India

La Liga India has extended their benevolent hand in a bid to improve the football infrastructure in India. And Noguera says the noble gesture from his own country can definitely make some changes in Indian football in the coming days.

"I think they are trying to grow and they have to keep doing it. India need a lot of change at grassroots and academy levels. They need more places where kids can play. They are putting in a lot of effort and I am sure they will do it," Noguera asserted.

Noguera also says winning the ISL shield this season with Mumbai City was a special moment for him. The Spaniard played 19 matches for them and scored 4 goals as Mumbai City finished at the summit of the ISL league table.

On Atletico Madrid

Noguera, who has played for Atletico Madrid, also believes his former club are putting up a better show this season. Atleti are currently 3rd in the La Liga table, two points behind their city rivals Real Madrid.

"Atletico Madrid are doing very well in the second half of the season. Every week is an opportunity for everyone to prove themselves," he said when MyKhel asked about Atletico's chances of overtaking Real Madrid.

A message to Indian youngsters

But the 33-year-old also asserts that Indian youngsters sometimes get lazy in their work, which hampers them from reaching the next level.

"Every year I try to speak with young players. I feel sometimes they get lazy because they think they reach their top level. They feel that's enough, but that shouldn't be. They should try to be best players every day, every training. If the youngsters try to push themselves, India have a lot of potential," Noguera concluded.