Mumbai City FC attacking midfielder Jon Toral has opened up on his decision to join the club. The Spaniard has played five matches for the Islanders in the ongoing season of the Indian Super League but he is yet to find the back of the net.
Toral, 29, said he wanted a challenge that would give him the chance to fight for titles and thus he joined the defending champions Mumbai City FC.
“At this stage of my career, I wanted a challenge that would give me the chance to fight for titles. In Europe, that’s not always easy, given the leagues and levels. Mumbai City FC offered that opportunity. The club has a history of winning titles, and I wanted to be a part of that,” Toral revealed in an interview with RevSportz.
However, Toral has struggled a bit with injuries and he hasn’t been at his absolute best. The 29-year-old admitted he still has a lot to improve in his game.
When discussing areas for improvement, he shared: “We need to improve in every area. We know that. The good thing is that we’re not losing many games—only one so far. The challenge is to convert those draws into wins. That’s something we’re working on. The league is very tight right now, with teams being very close to each other. It’s going to be an interesting season. The challenge is to get on a good run of results, and I’m confident we’ll do that.”
Toral said it is imperative for the national players to give their 120% on the pitch while playing for the country.
“I think it’s different for Indian players when they’re playing alongside foreign players in the ISL versus when they’re with just Indian teammates in the national team. Having foreign players is beneficial for the league because they bring a lot of experience. The national team also has a great manager, though the players haven’t had many games under him yet. Over time, I believe they’ll gain more confidence and improve under his guidance.”
“Indian players take their role in the national team very seriously, with a strong attitude and the will to win for their country—there’s nothing bigger than that. It’s an incredible opportunity for them, and I’m sure they will rise to the challenge and secure wins for their country,” the Spaniard commented.
Mumbai City FC will next take on Punjab FC at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai on 26th November.
