Spanish midfielder Jon Toral reflects on his decision to join Mumbai City FC
The attacking midfielder revealed what motivated him to join the Islanders and pinpointed the objectives for the days ahead.
Jon Toral is gradually adapting to life at Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL). The Spanish attacking midfielder joined the Islanders ahead of the season, sparking considerable excitement around his arrival.
Having played across several clubs in Europe, Toral is now embarking on a fresh challenge in Asian football with the Islanders.
Mumbai City FC have established themselves as one of the most consistent teams in Indian football, with two ISL Cups and two ISL Shields in their trophy cabinet. Their strong tradition of winning titles was a key factor in Toral’s decision to make the move.
“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.
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Despite his talent, the 29-year-old has yet to fully showcase his flair on the pitch, with injuries contributing to his struggles. Toral has made five appearances in the ISL so far but has yet to register any attacking returns – an area he is determined to improve once the league resumes after the international break.
Mumbai City FC have also had a rocky start to the season, sitting eighth on the table with ten points – two wins and four draws from seven matches.
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.”
With the league currently on a break, the Indian national team is preparing for their upcoming friendly match against Malaysia. The Blue Tigers are still seeking their first win under new head coach Manolo Marquez after three matches, but Toral remains confident that the team will soon overcome this hurdle.
Toral feels the players just need to display the right attitude and approach to representing the national team with the seriousness it deserves.
“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.
