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His demeanour, as he walked in to the French embassy in New Delhi was unmistakable. An awe-inspiring figure and perhaps one of the greatest to emerge out of Portugal’s golden generation, Pedro Miguel Pauleta is a legend whose stature is of the highest pedigree in domestic and international football.
In New Delhi to launch PSG’s academy in India, Pauleta needs no introduction to the football gung-ho. The La Liga title with Deportivo in 2000, reaching the Semi Final and Final of the World Cup & Euro in 2006 & 2004, he has been to the zenith and while promoting youth football might not be his biggest challenge, it will do the game a world of good as it tries to establish itself amongst the masses with the marquee academy in the capital.
In a freewheeling chat with the media, the 41 year old talks about his experience at PSG and lays bare his optimism about the growth of the game in India.
EXCERPTS:
Q. Hello Pauleta! Welcome to India, how has the experience been so far?
Pauleta- It’s great to be here in India. I believe a football revolution is underway here and it feels amazing to be a part of it. Over the last couple of days, I have come across a lot of football fans and with PSG setting up an academy here, I am sure talent will be unearthed and nurtured, thus adding to the potential that India has as a footballing nation.
Q. How important do you think a proper youth system is for development of a strong framework for the sport in a country?
Pauleta- It’s indeed very important. What we had in Portugal was special, and that helped us bring together an incredible team during the 2000s. I think if a similar set up can be initiated in India, it would the sport a world of good. Your national team will become stronger and most importantly you will be able to challenge for the major AFC & FIFA trophies.
Q. Carrying on from the aforementioned point, where do you think teams from Asia lack on the international front as compared to their European & South American counterparts?
Pauleta- You see its important to develop football at the grassroots, once you will have that, it will show in the national team’s performance too. The transition has to be gradual though.
Most importantly, you need to have a competitive league in India for that. I hear the Indian Super League is happening over the next couple of months, hopefully it will match up to the MLS or the J League over the next decade or so.
And if that happens, there is every reason to believe that the standard of the game shall rise here too.
Q. Finally, on a more personal level, you are currently involved with the youth structure in your native Portugal. Any plans of managing professional clubs in the near future?
Pauleta: In the capacity of being Director of Youth Development, Portugese Football Federation, I am involved with the development of the game at the grassroots there. So immediately I do not want to take the leap. However, if the opportunity presents itself, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of coaching a professional club in the future.
