Prabir, Sumit and Jayesh can be the important players for the National squad: Victor Mongil

Interview by Rishwin Joseph

Soccergramindia.com recently had a chat with the Spanish center-back Victor Mongil, who came to ISL 2019-20 mid-season and played his part beautifully to win the title for ATK. Being the Former Spanish youth International he already had his experience playing for Valladolid, Atletico Madrid B, Levante B, and won the Georgian League with F.C Dinamo Tbilisi before joining ATK. When we requested for his time, he was so happy and excited to share his experience playing in India.

When asked about the current pandemic in Spain and how are he and his family are, he said: It has been a very strange and completely different vacation but thank god, my family, friends, and people I know have not suffered in this pandemic. At the beginning it was really hard and difficult for us, we were unable to see the dear and near ones personally, or even hug them. But by following the rules prescribed by the government helped us to be well and calm.

About the beginning of his career and inspiration: Yes, from the age of 4, I started playing soccer. In my family, soccer has always been an inspiration, my uncle and my father have always played and trained, but my father was my great inspirer. I started playing in the MI Pueblo CD Laguna team, then Real Valladolid signed me in when I was 12. I also managed to move up and played for Real Valladolid in the first division to achieve what was wanted. After that, I played for Atletico Madrid B, Alcoyano, Merida, Pontevedra, and Levante where I was able to achieve great things again before leaving for Georgia. In Georgia, I played for F.C Dinamo Tbilisi and won the League before coming to ATK.

He said that playing for his home club Real Valladolid has helped him to join the national team. Where in Atletico de Madrid he had a great experience and an opportunity to train with Diego Simeone.

His experience of playing between Atletico Madrid and ATK: It was very different, at Atletico Madrid I was still learning and growing to fulfill my dreams. At ATK I already became a player with a lot of experience, so I was able to become the Champion again.

About playing in ISL and what was going through his mind when he got an offer from ATK: I had a very positive experience playing in ISL. People have given me a lot of affection since my arrival and they made me feel at home very quickly. When ATK approached me I said yes because they wanted to become Champion, and for me, it was a challenge to win 2 Championships in the same year. We finally made history by winning the title.

About playing under Coach Antonio Lopez Habas: I knew Antonio from my time at Atletico Madrid, I was quick to adapt what he wanted and what the team always needed.

Asking about Indian players and their potential to go abroad and play: I was very impressed with many young players who were eager to learn, improve, and grow as Pro-Footballers. I will never be tired of saying that I had players in ATK capable of making that leap abroad. If players like Sumit, Prabir, and Jayesh continue their ambition to improve and grow, then they can be the important players for the country and will be able to play abroad.

Other than ATK and ATK fans, which Club and fans impressed him the most: I’m very impressed by the fans of Kerala, they are very important for the club. I was also surprised by the fans of Mumbai and Jamshedpur, in ISL there are a lot of supporters for the away and home matches.

When asked about the rumors between Kerala Blasters F.C: I know that it is a rumor brought out by the fans and media, who linked me to a club like Kerala Blasters F.C, makes me feel really proud, it is an incredible club in the ISL. But still, I cannot say anything exactly, my wish is to return to the ISL and to be with the best to achieve and fight for great things.

When asked about the changes he likes to witness in ISL and Introduction of VAR, he said, reducing foreigner players is not a positive thing, by including more foreigners will only make the players train and grow with an improvement of Teams and the league. The introduction of the VAR system will also improve the performance in ISL.

Finally his Message to Indian Fans: Hello to all my fans in India, “It is a great pleasure to share my story with you. You all send me many messages of Support and Love. I hope I can enjoy ISL again soon. You are a big part of the League. Thank You!”