Carlos Martinez Exclusive: From Barcelona shores to Goan Sands - FC Goa Striker Talks Career, Goals, and ISL Title

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From the East Coast of Spain to the West Coast of India, the distance is thousands of miles. But even being far away from the Balearic Sea, FC Goa striker Carlos Martinez has found a home on the coast of the Arabian Sea.

Carlos Martinez, the veteran FC Goa striker is playing his first season in India, and the player has already shown his prowess in front of goal for all the Goa aficionados.

At the FC Goa training centre in a picturesque Salvador do Mundo, MyKhel had a chance to catch up with the Spanish striker, where he opened up on a plethora of things.

The Journey so Far

A career that started with UDA Grament Milan, Carlos Martinez has slowly grown in stature and has played for clubs like Villarreal (the B team), Hercules and FC Andorra. He also had a stint with Japanese club Tokyo Verdy in between and now finds his ply in India.

"In Spain, football is now very professionalized in all aspects. For me, my career in Spain has been very good, I have always been able to play in good teams which I have enjoyed a lot.

"I have managed to get the extension with the Andorra, I have always managed to score good numbers in terms of goals, that's important and that's why I have had the opportunity to come here to India," Martinez told MyKhel.

Manolo Marquez Magic

Martinez was scoring goals for FC Andorra last season, but the call from Manolo Marquez made him join the Gaurs. And the player shares that the FC Goa coach and he once faced each other.

"Manolo (Manolo Marquez) is very important here in this league. I didn't know him as a coach, I knew him from having faced him before. I've learned a lot from him, he's doing great here in India and he's prepared and he has a lot of knowledge to do well in Hyderabad and now here in Goa, we keep fighting for the title," the Spanish striker says.

Sunsets are Nice, but ISL title is the Objective

Martinez, who grew up on the coasts of Barcelona, says he is very fortunate to be in Goa, a city very similar to Spain, with many beaches and sunsets. But at the moment, the Goa striker knows the onus is on them to resurrect things for the team.

With a five-match winless run, Goa have slipped to fifth in the ISL table and need a win desperately to keep themselves in the ISL shield race. And the 37-year-old says despite the recent disappointments, they are confident of turning things around.

"Well, football is very equal today. Here in India, it is also equal, there are some teams that we did a very good first round and it is very difficult to repeat because we did not lose any game. We may have lost a few matches but we are trying to give the return as soon as possible. Winning the shield is the target, which is the most important thing. But reaching the playoffs is also another objective if we don't win the shield."

Determination and East Bengal Challenge

In terms of the scoring spree, the Spaniard has so far netted 8 goals and has 2 assists across all competitions. He has gone blank in the last five matches but is determined to fire his team with some goals in the business end of this ISL season.

"Yes, well, I would like to take more goals like everyone, I think that the principle is to score as many goals as possible Well, as I always say, you have to keep it all in the field and there are years when the ball enters more easily than others. But well, I'll try to help the team in everything they can," said a determined Martinez, who idolizes Andres Iniesta and is a massive supporter of FC Barcelona.

A big test awaits for FC Goa on Wednesday (March 6) as they lock horns against Carles Cuadrat's East Bengal, and Carlos Martinez knows the importance of three points.

"Three points is our target. It will be a difficult match as East Bengal are a good team, but we want a win," Martinez signed off with a smile.

Well, that is the order of the day for FC Goa and Carlos Martinez. And if they come with a W to their name in Fatorda, then perhaps the Spanish striker can enjoy a plate of Butter Paneer, one of his favourite Indian dishes.