For many, many football aficionados in
India, watching one of the games involving their heroes live is a
huge accomplishment. Hence, it comes as no surprise when the likes of
Maradona, Pele and Oliver Khan among the many others who visited
India were thronged with crowds that gathered for as far as the eye
could see. Now, you can only imagine what it would be like if a
youngster, all of 16, was selected among thousands of other
participants from around the country to train at Old Trafford with
the world famous Manchester United Soccer School. Brandon Fernandes
has that distinction, that claim that could make even his best of
friends go green with envy.
For many, getting that far would mean
having accomplished a dream that was, not long ago, improbable. A
story they could tell their grandchildren. But Fernandes dared to
dream higher and now he is on the cusp of achieving what no Indian
has ever done – a contract with a top division English club,
Reading FC.
It would be easy to attribute the hype
about young footballer to the training with the famous Manchester
School, but the truth remains that Fernandes, like most footballers
in a developing country, had to push his way through a lot of smaller
clubs before his talent caught the eye of someone who could push him
into the big league. There hasn't been any shortage of admirers for
the lad from Goa. He was snapped up by prestigious Indian club,
Salgaocar FC when he was just 13 and the management saw no harm in
making the mid-fielder play along side the U-19 side, such was his
talent.
He also was a constant figure in the
National youth teams, representing the Blue Tigers in the U-13, U-16,
U-17, U-19 levels and it was here that the ones who mattered started
to notice the boy's undeniable talent. African Soccer Development,
Cape Town (ASD) soon roped in the promising youngster and it was here
that Fernandes started to blossom. ASD's state of the art facilities
and training programs helped Fernandes become the player he is today.
In an exclusive interview, Brandon
spoke of his disbelief when he first heard about the trial. “My
first reaction was that I really couldn't believe this! A Premiership
trial is not something that happens to Indian players. I'm so excited
and I just really hope I can do my country proud.”
Brandon's climb to the top has been
anything but easy. He came from a country that doesn't have the best
backing for a young soccer player and in spite of possessing oodles
of talent, his diminutive physique made him susceptible. A point
emphasized by ASD's director, Mike Steptoe.
“At first we were not sure (about
Brandon). He had great skill but no physicality and he didn't settle
because of the lure of playing U17 and U19 for India.”
Steptoe added that playing for India
actually proved to be detrimental to his growth as a player and that
it was only when the lure of playing football for Indian diminished
that Fernandes could take the leap forward.
“Unfortunately his International
career impeded his development. He has made rapid progress over the
past twelve months whilst not playing Internationally. We always knew
he had the potential but it was critical that we had to have more
time with him,” felt Steptoe.
But all that changed soon after as the
youngster started to make his impact and soon everyone were convinced
about what he will do.
“Brandon is a very determined young
man with good character and will be a role model for Indian football.
He is a quick learner and hungry to perform at the highest level.”
said Steptoe in an exclusive interview.
Fernandes, for a boy of 17, has his
heart in right place. He has set goals based on what his strengths
are and says he would love to see Indian football go to another
level.
“I feel immensely proud (every time I
pull on an Indian jersey). It is a great honour to play for my
country. I would love to see Indian football go to another level.
For that to happen, we need to produce more quality players. I
honestly believe we have the talent to do that, and in the meantime I
will focus on working hard to take my own game to the next level,”
he added.
When quizzed about his strengths,
Fernandes said his 'finishing and eye for goal' are the attributes
that make him dangerous.
“I am an attacking midfielder, but
can play anywhere in the midfield. I think my main strength is in my
finishing and my eye for he goal. In that respect, the player I most
want to be like in the future is Lionel Messi.”
It's completely normal for a youngster
to be carried away with all the hype around him - Everyone branding
him India's next big star; a trial with a top club; becoming the
first Asian to be signed up by the ASD; taking everyone by storm with
his virtuoso displays in the National youth team last year. But
Fernandes has his feet firmly planted, he hasn't forgotten how he's
gotten to where he is now.
“I started playing soccer on the
streets with my friends when I was 4 years old. Most of my family
members are into sport, especially soccer. I was mainly encouraged by
my dad,” the Goa player said, The player most looked up to as a
youngster was Bruno Couthino, from Goa.
So who does he look up to now?
“Nowadays, I don't just look up to one player, rather I look up to
many great players who play Midfield like I do. I learn different
things from watching different players, but if I was being pushed to
name one I would say Cristiano Ronaldo.”
We've heard such talk from almost every
other young, promising footballer from all over the globe wanting to
emulate Messi and be like Ronaldo. Achieving what the likes of
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have done would be the stuff of
dreams. But, if there's one thing the Brandon Fernandes story teaches
you – it is that Dreams will come True!!
Fernandes has his dreams too.... “My
ultimate dream would be to play for Manchester United.” Here's
hoping, for his and India's sake they come true.
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