India will rise in football if it continues investing in grassroots: Luis Garcia

Liverpool legend Luis Garcia is not only considered a great in Anfield but also in India, where he won the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League with Atletico de Kolkata in 2014.

And who better to measure the ‘sleeping giant’s’ rise in the sport, than the 2005 Champions League hero. "The quality has improved (since he played in the ISL in 2014). I watched a few games last year and the level of the Indian players was quite good,” said the Spaniard, who was in Mumbai representing LFC World presented by Standard Chartered at High Street Phoenix.

Garcia was in the country from December 6 to December 10, along with former teammates Robbie Fowler, Sami Hyypia and Vladimir Smicer. The quartet met with fans in Mumbai, spent a morning playing golf, took part in a 5-a-side game, conducted soccer clinics and trained with underprivileged children during their brief stay in the city.

Garcia, Fowler, and Hyypia also attended a fan screening of Sunday’s 1-1 Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton. Fans also had the opportunity to meet club mascot Mighty Red throughout the weekend.

Luis Garcia & Vladimir Smicer participate in one of the activity at the event here in Mumbai

Garcia reckoned that India has put its best foot forward by hosting the U-17 World Cup. “I think the U-17 WC would have helped the youth immensely. I watched (some games in) the FIFA U-17 World Cup and was surprised by the quality of the Indian team.

"I spoke with (Bhaichung) Bhutia about it and he told me they were doing pretty well traveling around the world and beating teams," said the 39–year-old Spaniard. And the next step is to continue nurturing young talent. “If India continues investing in grassroots and academies the country can rise,” he added.

India was languishing in the 150s in the FIFA rankings not so long ago. But today is a different story. Stephen Constantine’s men are firing on all cylinders with a tri-series win against Mauritius and St. Kitts and Nevis. They have also booked a berth in the 2019 AFC Cup and are currently 105th in the FIFA rankings.

LFC World is a three-day road show that features a range of activities that engage fans of all ages and provides exciting opportunities to meet former LFC players. Last season the fan experience visited Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Shanghai meeting thousands of fans along the way.

LFC legends at Shankly gates while inaugurating the LFC World event

Meanwhile, Hyypia was overjoyed by the warm reception Indian fans gave the former Reds. ”It is always amazing when I come to Asia. There are so many passionate fans here,” said the former Liverpool centre-back.