ISL 2015: Which teams have the most supporters?

When asked whether the popularity of football has increased in the cricket-crazy nation because of the ISL, the 28-year old said, “I don’t want to compare cricket with football”.

“All the kids, they love football”.

“In Japan they used to play baseball and then they built a lot of football grounds, and then people could play football”, the former Japan national team boss explained. They are not apologetic about their staggering statements. He is one of the best players in our country right now. The two-time World Cup victor feels China has mass base and determination and all they now need is right kind of training. The ISL can do the same for Indian football.

Ronaldo says apart from the business angle he is attracted by the sheer number of football fans and players in China and the government’s focus on the development of the sport.

“In metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, people like football”. The Brazilian stalwart has gone a step further by setting a deadline for his ambitious plan. The Manipuri was named Best Player in the last I-league where his club Royal Wahingdoh finished third in their maiden season. Really? a few confidence, this!

Marco Materazzi’s candour as coach of the the Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Chennaiyin FC, has earned him the rapt attention of his players. “To be honest, I was surprised by the level of quality of Indian players”.

What do the two leagues mean to the humble football and hockey players? But the headline-grabbing acquisition was of Sunil Chhetri. At 31, he thinks his parents know more about money and investments more than him.

“Our only objective for this season is to improve on our performance from the first season and lift that ISL trophy for our fans”, said the Englishman, sounding optimistic of the squad’s capabilities. The healthy rivalry should help both and in the process if the Indian hockey and football benefit, nothing like it. As the millions of Indian followers of the Premier League got psyched up for last month’s Arsenal-Liverpool match at the Emirates, the Delhi Dynamos announced the signing of John Arne Riise and, in case the vicarious prestige was not potent enough, the announcement was accompanied by footage of Riise being presented with his new club’s jersey by none other than Ian Rush. But they did not reckon with the price the marquee players are valued in the ISL, even if they are no longer hot properties internationally.

The club, which managed to win just four matches out of 14 in the first season, have a star-studded side this time around, thanks to the Indian players’ auction and foreign players buying window.

Elano was last year’s Golden Boot victor. After all, the Italian World Cup victor did recently claim his biggest managerial inspiration is Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. After previous year of ISL, I saw the difference in Indian football.

The jury is still out. Their fear is ISL will soon become a haven for unwanted European stars.

“They re so shy and respectful and if you talk to them it looks like they re going to cry”, said the Delhi Dynamos left-back. Averaging more than 24,000 in stadium attendance, the ISL is now ahead of the Italian Serie A, French Ligue 1, Chinese Super League, A-League, J-League and Major League Soccer.