Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre on Monday said that a bright future awaited Indian football provided they create the right infrastructure for the talent to grow.
“I have been travelling a lot last year throughout India and I know what’s missing in India is not the talent; it’s the infrastructure and the opportunities to practice.” Silvestre, who represented France at the World Cup twice, said at the launch function of ‘Apollo Go The Distance’ scholarship programme on Monday.
“Football is a sport which needs a lot of practice. Practice is what makes a player perfect. If provided with better infrastructure and opportunities, sooner or later we can see an Indian player playing in the top European leagues.
“I can see that football as a sport is growing in India and I hope that it can overtake cricket one day,” he added.
Silvestre feels that football is gaining popularity in India as youth is taking up and watching football like never before. He said that various grassroot-development programmes initiated by different clubs are excellent opportunities for the kids to learn the basics of the game.
But at the same time, he said, football is not just about talent or wide range of techniques, “it’s also about mental strength. To go into the game you need all of them.”
Silvestre was part of Chennaiyin FC in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super league last year. Recalling the experience, the 37-year-old said, “I enjoyed every single minute that I played in the ISl. I enjoyed it because we had a great squad, the spirits were always high.” Silvestre only had one year contract with the franchise and is now a free player.