When you think of Spain, you know about only three things. Real Madrid, Barcelona and the La Liga football tournament. However, did you know that one Spanish football star knows who is Virat Kohli despite cricket not being so popular? Alberto Noguera, one of the new players signed by current Indian Super League (ISL) champions FC Goa, is aware that Virat Kohli is one of the greatest cricketers currently and is also one of the owners of the club. Does he follow cricket? Not really. He stumbled upon cricket and Kohli only during his stint in Blackpool during the 2012/13 Football League championships.
Speaking exclusively to DNA, Noguera, the 30-year-old who made his first impression with Atletico Madrid's C Team in 2009 and since then has been prominent in the Segunda division (Second league of the La Liga) revealed that he knew Virat Kohli. “I got to know about the game when I was playing for Blackpool in England. I am aware that he is a 'great player and the owner of the club,” Noguera said. FC Goa was established by Srinivas Dempo and Dattaraj Salgaoncar, with Indian cricket skipper Virat Kohli being the co-owner.
Noguera has been a journeyman throughout his life. After his stint with Atletico Madrid, he has spent a season each at English side Blackpool in the Championship and FC Baku in the Azerbaijan Premier League. Noguera, with several years of Spanish football experience, has revealed that the idea of experiencing a new culture buoyed him to participate in the Indian Super League.
When asked about how football is played in India and the rest of the world as well as his hopes from the Indian Super League, Noguera replied, “I think that maybe in England, football is a little bit more physical. But football is football everywhere and you have to learn to play the best way possible for you. It (ISL) is still young and there is a long way to go, but they are getting more and more popular every year. So, that's something positive. It's a new and exciting challenge for me. I believe I have some good days ahead of me and that coincides with the club, who are looking to get better every day”, Noguera said.
Buzz missing due to COVID19
The Indian Super League 2020–21 season will be the seventh season and is expected to run from November 2020 to March 2021. It will be hosted behind closed doors across three venues in Goa due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in India. The current season of the Indian Super League will miss the buzz as it is being held behind closed doors. Without the energy of the fans and empty stands, there will be a lack of excitement and motivation might be a huge factor for many players and that has saddened Noguera.
“It's sad that there won't be fans present. However, their safety should be our first concern at the moment. It is a great loss for football, especially in India, if the game is played without any fans, Noguera said.
The 30-year-old will be aiming to continue FC Goa's consistent run in the Indian Super League and also help the club make a mark in the AFC Champions League, which will be historic as they will become the first-ever club to feature in the league stage of the tournament.
