Maharashtra derby had a surprise visitor in Indian tennis legend leander Paes, who was cheering for Mumbai City FC on Thursday night. Even though the team lost the eagerly anticipated derby 0-1, the tennis star remains confident of the side's chance this season. Paes — donning Mumbai's colours — tells Pioneer Sports about his love for the sport and how much the Indian Super league is helping the local players
It didn't go well for the home team on Thursday, but are you still confident about Mumbai's chances ofreaching the last-4IJ
You know in sport you win some and lose some. That's the beauty of sport. You have got to be the best when you step out there. I think we still are in a great position to make it to the top four and I definitely bleed blue.
What are your thoughts on ISl as a platform for Indian footballIJ
It is very important for our Indian players and for the fans. Also, it is important as you get to watch great players like Nicolas Anelka, and today we got to watch Diego Forlan play and run up and down the field and I still remember watching him in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he was Player of the Tournament, and it is great to watch him play here and it is a real treat for the youngsters.
How has your experience beenIJ
It has been great and phenomenal to support my friends Ranbir Kapoor and Sunil Chettri, and to watch Diego Forlan play. It was amazing to see a couple of moves, which the boys made and really got the crowd going.
Will we be seeing more of you this ISlIJ
Definitely, I would like to whenever I get the opportunity and football is my first love and it is the sport I grew up with, and football is a magical game where one ball looks after 22 players.