Q&A Session With Mumbai City FC Goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa
Interview with 24 year old Phurba Lachenpa from Sikkim who is the shot-stopper for Mumbai City FC. Lachenpa, who signed for the Mumbai outfit in 2020 won the Indian Super League in his first season. On April 11 2022, he started as Mumbai City FC became the first Indian club to win an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League game beating Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 2-1.
How did you get into football? When did you decide to become a professional footballer?
My football journey started with my two brothers. They inspired me to become what I’m today. We played cricket in our childhood and we were good. My late brother had a dream to become like M.S.Dhoni and get his name featured in the newspapers and magazines. When he passed away, I was determined to build my name in sports. Eventually, my football journey kicked off over cricket as it was more popular in the northeast and I found my way.
What’s your take on the professional football scene in India?
Football scenario is growing and getting bigger in India over the last ten years due to the strengthening of the Indian Super League’s infrastructure, elevation of football at the grassroots level, betterment of professional contracts of players, and the influx of good quality foreign players from whom Indian players are learning newer techniques and skills. Outside the field, players are taking care of their diet – what they eat. These steps are producing huge results in Indian football and in the coming future, there will be lots of positives which will finally enable football in India to be looked at as a viable career.
How was pre-season and what are you looking forward to this season?
Pre-season is going great here in Dubai, lots of hard work. There is a competitive environment here, so I’m getting better every day learning from the best in the business! My aspirations for the upcoming season are to contribute to the team to win titles and personally perform consistently while doing so.
At just 24, you are already the top goalkeeper of a top ISL side Mumbai City FC. What are your short and long-term goals?
First of all, I’m not a top goalkeeper, I’m learning every day to become a better goalkeeper! And I’m not a person who keeps lots of goals, I just try to enjoy every day of my life and become a better person than who I was yesterday, rest everything falls in its place, but I do have my ultimate goal, that is to leave this world a little better place than how I found it.
Which player would you like to emulate in your game?
As a kid, I was a big fan of Oliver Kahn, but now as a professional, we can’t emulate anyone. Every goalkeeper is special in their own way and I try to learn from every goalkeeper in the world.
We were overjoyed when we saw you starring for Mumbai FC in the AFC Champions League a few months back. What was the overall experience like? Which game was the most memorable for you in the tournament?
The overall experience was great. What I gained from that tournament will help me perform better both now and in the future because it was the biggest football tournament in Asia with the biggest clubs and best players! The most memorable game for me was against Al Shabab where we lost 6-0. In spite of the defeat, I learned a lot.
We’re aware that Mumbai City FC is a part of the City Football Group which owns other big clubs like Manchester City FC, New York City FC, and Melbourne City FC to name a few. How does it feel knowing that you’re playing for one of the top global football entities in the world?
It’s a wonderful feeling to represent Mumbai City because it is one of the top clubs in India. Plus, by representing City Football Group, we are part of a group that has achieved everything in football and thus, it gives us a sense of belonging in world football.
What does it feel like to play alongside so many top players and Indian internationals?
It is great playing alongside so many great players, there is always the pressure to do better and I love this pressure because it makes us better every day and in every top club you need to be at your best every day because you are surrounded by the best and there is always someone more competitive who can take your spot. This is why best the clubs remain competitive because there is pressure to perform for every player!
What’s the best thing about being a professional footballer?
For me, the best thing about being a professional footballer is that I love what I do and I do it passionately. To me, this is pure joy. I live every day whenever I’m in the field.
What has been the toughest challenge in your professional life?
Till now there hasn’t been any real tough challenge per se because I am young but there are lots of sacrifices we make, especially getting to spend less time with our family.
What would you advise other aspiring footballers on the come-up?
The only advice I can give to upcoming players is to be consistent in what you do, as anyone can train for a week but you need to be consistent to train every day till you achieve your goals. Consistency is a must in everyone’s life whether you are an aspiring footballer or an aspiring student, put consistency in everything you do whether it is sleeping at 9 pm every day for recovery or going to college every day to attend lectures, be consistent.
Thank you for taking the time to converse with us, Mr. Lachenpa. We wish you the best in your professional journey and salute you for lofty achievements thus far.
