Image credit: AiramCabrera9@Twitter

FC Goa’s new signing, striker Airam Cabrera is under no pressure whatsoever that in 2021-22 he is going to play for a team that has produced many Golden Boot winners in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL). Last season, it was Igor Angulo who took home the prestigious award after scoring 14 goals for the Gaurs. In 2017-18 and 2018-19, it was Ferran Corominas who bagged the awards with 18 and 16 goals respectively and became the first player in league history to do it in successive seasons.

“I know Angulo really well. I played against him in Poland. I have a lot of respect for him, even for Coro. But it’s not extra pressure for me because I live with this pressure. I’m a striker. When you move to a new team, everyone looks to you to score goals. So, it’s not extra pressure, it’s a responsibility. First, I need to earn the confidence of my teammates and then I can show all my potential,” Cabrera said on the latest episode of Football United.

Cabrera revealed that FC Goa’s style of play influenced his decision to join them a great deal. He went on to add that last season he couldn’t perform to the best of his ability because his and his team’s – Wisla Plock in Poland -- playing styles were not in sync at all.   

“I spoke to some of my friends like Javi Hernandez and he told me FC Goa is the best place for my skills and then I spoke to Ravi [Puskur, Director of Football] at the club. After that I was 100 percent sure [that he would join the club]. They treat me like family and for me that’s very important. They [his friends] told me you have to go there; they play really good football,” he said.

“Last season was not good for me for this reason only. Because the team played a totally different style than mine. And I wasn’t comfortable on the pitch. I should feel comfortable, I should feel that I’m important. That makes a huge difference,” he added.

Cabrera also insisted he was eyeing nothing less than the prestigious trophy in the upcoming season, something the Gaurs have not won yet despite reaching the Hero ISL semi-finals six times and the final twice. “I need to think like that, if not, I should stay at home. I told you before I’m hungry to succeed,” he said.

Not just understanding the significance of winning the trophy, the 33-year-old Spaniard is fully aware that he is expected to help the younger lot at the club through the course of the upcoming season. “You have to know that it’s a big responsibility. You need to have a balance. Most of the Indian players [at FC Goa] are young so you have to help them; you have to push them. You have to give your maximum. You have to give as much as you can. I love football. I love to speak about football even when I’m watching a game,” he said.