Kolkata: Former Spain winger Luis Garcia, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 after defeating Milan in that miraculous night in Istanbul opened up his chances of playing in the Indian Super League in the near future. Given the meteoric rise of the ISL, ever since it’s inception in 2014 and the wide praise it has been receiving from many acclaimed players and coaches who plied their trade in the league, Garcia stated that he is ready to come out of retirement if required and play in the ISL.
“Though I didn’t go back to the Indian Super League for a second year, as I wasn’t too sure then if the league would be as good as the first edition,” said the former Liverpool superstar in an interaction with mid-day.
“Since then I have heard a lot of positive feedback about ISL 2. I don’t think I will ever close any doors or rule out a return to the ISL in future,” he added.
Garcia, who was the captain of the Kolkata based franchise ATK in the inaugural edition of the ISL and also won the title that season will be making a return to India as a part of the Standard Chartered LFC World event in Mumbai (December 8-10) alongwith former Liverpool players Robbie Fowler, Vladimir Smicer and Sami Hyppia.
He has been closely following the league, ever since the decision was made to make it longer and keep an eye on the matches of his former club ATK. “I saw the first game last weekend and have been following the new competition,” he added.
Interestingly, Kerala Blasters and Delhi Dynamos can still purchase one player each when the winter transfer window opens in January. Both the two franchises have signed seven players so far, this season and are eligible to make one more addition. With the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Wes Brown, Iain Hume and Robbie Keane all playing in the ISL, the addition of Luis Garcia will give more boost to the league and take it a step higher.