Indian Super League team Atletico de Kolkata's marquee player Luis Garcia said Indian footballers have talent but lack of proper training impedes their success.
"Indian players have quality, talent and passion for football. It is only the lack of proper training facilities that has hindered their growth. In Spain, kids take up football at a very young age and start training. In India what is lacking is proper training academies and infrastructure," said Garcia who had represented Spain in the 2006 football World Cup.
‘Hope to see Indian footballers playing in many countries’
Hailing the Indian Super League, which kicks off from October 12, he said it can mark the beginning of a new journey for the sport in the country.
"It will surely make youngsters believe that football is a good sport to play, and who knows maybe in a few years we will see Indian national team like they were in the 1950's qualifying for the World Cup. Probably in the near future we will see Indian players playing in many other countries," the former Barcelona player said.
Asked about the 'tiki-taka' style of football Garcia said they will try to recreate the magic in India but it would be tough.
"It is not so easy and that is why only two teams Barcelona and probably Bayern Munich have mastered it. For that all the players have to be talented, you need the quality and the understanding and it is difficult to find that in a team, so not every team can do that," he said.
