ISL 2017: "Indian football can match Europe in a few years," says FC Pune City star Damir Grgic

Pune City FC defender Damir Grgic joined the club from Slovenian outfit Rudar Velenje this past August. Born in Germany but a Croatian by nationality, Grgic is a product of German club VFL Bochum, the same that has developed the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Schalke youth sensation Leon Goretzka in the past.

This correspondent caught up with the 25-year-old, as he talks about life in India, his past and his future. Here are a few excerpts!

How do you find India? Since this is your first club outside Europe?

In the beginning, it was a little bit difficult, I was scared if I can stay here for even half a year. It is a different kind of life. But now, I feel very comfortable here. Also, the guys in the team have accepted me very well.

Yes, this is my first club outside of Europe. And I'm happy that I'm a part of FC Pune. It is a very professional club with a lot of ambitions.

How different is the style of football in India from that of where you have played?

There is not a big difference. The players here run more, they are more aggressive. But tactically, European football is a few steps in front. That doesn't mean that Indian football will not be at the same level in a few years.

How would you describe yourself as a player?

I am a hard worker. I don't like to speak about myself and about other qualities, in this case. I leave this to the coaches.

You’ve been at many clubs over the years, especially after leaving Bochum. But despite changing so many times, what has kept you going over the years?

Yes, that's right. Football today is a big business. Too many agents just speak, make promises but at the end, you stay alone. So, when I was in Bochum, there were too many agents, and when you are young, you trust almost everyone. You have to trust them because it is not possible to do anything today without an agent.

Of course, I am not happy that I changed so many clubs at my age don't look so serious. But everywhere I was, it was a nice experience.

Has there ever been a time when you felt like quitting football for doing something else? Or you wished that you did something else and not play football?

If you believe in yourself, you never think about quitting football, or whatever you do. Of course, if you love your job. So, I was never thinking about this.

I can not imagine my life without football. Also, after my playing career, I want to stay in football to do something more.

What struggles have you faced to become the player that you are today?

The city where I live is very small. The football club where I started and played about 10 years long is not popular. But all my life, I was thinking about doing something more. For me, every day, every training was a struggle.

All the players at my age, who played together with me, quit with football after the academy, with the excuses that the coach was not good, the team is not good, the coach doesn't like me and all that. But I pushed forward.

What are your future plans? Do you want to stay in the ISL or move elsewhere in the future?

If I will have an opportunity to come back to Europe, I will accept it. But that doesn't mean that things here are not good. No one knows what the future will bring.

Maybe next year I will still be in ISL, or maybe some other country in Asia, or maybe Europe.