Q&A Session with FC Groningen Midfielder Noël Vogel

Noël Vogel is an emerging 19-year-old Dutch-Naga football prospect who plays as a midfielder for the FC Groningen Under-21 team in the Netherlands. Born to a Dutch father and a Naga mother (originally from Khensa village in Nagaland’s Mokokchung district), he grew up in the Netherlands but maintains a deep connection to his maternal homeland, visiting family in Nagaland almost every year. His immediate focus is breaking into FC Groningen’s senior first team. Looking further ahead, he aspires to play in elite European leagues like Spain’s La Liga or the English Premier League.

1. Growing up in the Netherlands with Dutch and Naga roots, how has balancing two distinct cultures shaped you both as a person and as a footballer?

It shapes me very well. I think that my Naga roots make me a fighter on and off the field. Having a good mentality and staying dedicated is very important as a footballer.

2. Have you ever visited Nagaland to connect with your maternal roots? If so, what are your favourite memories?

Yeah, so I visit Nagaland almost every Christmas. I always have a good time in Nagaland with my family, and I feel very at home there.

3. At what age did you first fall in love with football, and who inspired you to start playing? Did your passion spark at home with family, or did it truly take off when you joined your local club, SV Bedum?

I started playing when I was 5 years old. In the beginning, I played with my friends for fun. I think it truly took off when I started playing for SV Bedum.

4. A professional youth career requires managing a lot of moving parts. What role does your family environment play as you navigate the logistical and day-to-day realities of academy football?

My family supports me every day. From taking me to football practice to making good food at home so I can take good care of my body. Also, being real with me, telling me what I am doing well and what I can do better. My parents teach me a lot, helping me as a footballer and as a person.

5. You made a major leap from grassroots football at SV Bedum to the prestigious FC Groningen academy. What were the biggest mental and physical challenges you faced transitioning into a professional youth system?

In the beginning, I suffered a lot with injuries; it was a hard time for me. But I always kept working on myself and kept believing in myself. That brought me to where I am today.

6. What does a typical week of training look like for you currently with the U19 and U21 squads? How does it feel to develop in the exact same academy that produced world-class talents like Arjen Robben and Virgil van Dijk?

I train 7 times a week. On Thursdays and Tuesdays, I train twice. On-field in the mornings and gym sessions in the afternoons. It’s an honour to play in the same academy. They’ve had very good careers, and it motivates me.

7. Dutch football is famous for technical precision and tactical intelligence. As a midfielder, how has this philosophy influenced your style, what are your biggest strengths, and what areas are you working to improve?

Answer: My biggest strength is my speed and my technical ability. I can see and understand the game very well. I am always working directly towards the goal and creating big chances. The most important thing to work on for me is scoring more goals.

8. Who are the players you admire the most? Are there specific midfielders or former Groningen greats whose game and mentality you try to emulate?

I think players like Mbappe and Neymar are players I look up to. How they play the game is something I like to observe.

9. With the sport rapidly growing in India, many fans look to players in Europe with Indian heritage as examples of high-level development. Have you been able to follow the football scene in India at all, and what are your thoughts on its evolution?

I see a lot of young players in Europe who can play for India; it would be nice if they could create strong youth teams for the Indian national team so they can represent their own country.

10. Where do you see yourself in the next five years? What are your immediate goals regarding the FC Groningen first team, and what kind of legacy do you want to leave for young athletes looking up to you?

I hope to see myself starting in the first team of FC Groningen, and from there hopefully going to the top of the Dutch competition. From there I hope to play in Spain or England one day. I think for young athletes it’s good to stay dedicated and hardworking. It is important to just enjoy the game every time you play and to always trust God.