FC Goa lock horns with FC Pune City in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Saturday. The Gaurs are flying high and currently occupy the top of the table with 12 points from five games. The home team’s midfielder Edu Bedia spoke to the indiansuperleague.com before the game for a candid interview. Here are the excerpts.

What do you do when you get some time off?

I’ve been in football for 11 years. It’s not that you have a lot of time out of the training sessions. I spend my time with family as much as possible. That’s where my time goes.

How did you develop an interest in football?

Football is something that I started playing from a very young age. At the age of three itself, I was playing in a football team even before I started watching football on television. It’s something that has been there all through my life. Now I’m 28 and nothing’s changed. The way I see football is the same to when I started.

On a funny note, what’s your favourite off-season activity?

I like to play other sports as well. Cycling is something I enjoy. When I get the time, I go cycling for long distances with friends.

Your favourite international club and player, and why do you like them?

Obviously, the best club in the world for me would be Barcelona. The way they teach their players and the way they play is completely different. I had the opportunity to play there for a year and it completely changed the way I think. With respect to players, the one player I’ve always admired is Xavi Hernandez and now, Leo Messi. A player like Messi comes once in a lifetime. I don’t think there’ll be another player like him or there was a player ever like him.

How easy has it been for you to gel with your teammates on and off the pitch?

I think it’s been an easy ride so far. The way we have gelled together as a team has been fantastic. Players have been very easy going and you can see the results on the pitch. So far, we’ve done very well. We’ve played as a team collectively.

FC Goa has scored 18 goals as of now. How important is the fans’ support?

To be honest, it was very surprising. It is something very noticeable. To play at home is a different experience altogether. They are very loud, you can hear them. It’s very visible. We’re very pleased and we want to thank them for the support that they’ve shown us and hope that they keep coming to support us, no matter what.

What are your thoughts on how Hero ISL have revolutionized football in India?

Football is not only changing here but all over the world. It is getting more and more support. This is a league that is very good. I’ve seen a lot of leagues on TV. You know, there is something very positive here and it is growing year by year and this can only be good for the football in the country.