I hope to be I-League champions this season: Eli Sabia | Exclusive Interview

The defender has 100 appearances in the ISL

Eli Sabia, the experienced Brazilian centre back, has signed a one-year contract with Sreenidi Deccan FC ahead of the I-League. The club's roster for the upcoming I-League season may benefit greatly from the arrival of Sabia in their squad, who has extensive experience in the Indian Super League.

Sabia's signing has brought a lot of experience and defensive prowess that could improve Sreenidi Deccan FC's squad for the upcoming season and increase the team's chances of winning the I-League title. Sabia won the ISL League Shield with Jamshedpur FC in 2022. Thus, he is a successful and experienced player of the Hero Indian Super League, having played for both Chennaiyin FC and Jamshedpur FC.

Khel Now had the chance to speak with the defensive mastermind in an exclusive interview ahead of the 2023–2024 I–league season!

On move to Sreenidi Deccan FC

Eli Sabia shared his thought on joining the I-league side Sreenidi Deccan ahead of their upcoming season in the hope of bringing a newer approach in the team, making the team more defensively strong with his footballing ability and also by delivering his experiences among the other younger players in the team.

"I will try to lead the team as this is definitely a new challenge for me and we together will fight to be champions for the season. I hope giving my best for my teammates, for the fans. It's a motivation for me because I talked with the coaches before signing with Sreenidi. And I hope to be champions this season in the I-League."

Eli Sabia's reasons for staying in India

Eli Sabia is one of the successful players in the Indian Super League with 100 appearances. In 2016, the Brazilian defender made his start in Indian football when he joined Chennaiyin FC. In 2018, he became a key player and eventually won the opportunity to lead the team. Sabia's leadership and strong presence in the game made a big difference when he was given the captain's armband for Chennaiyin FC.

Sabia went to Jamshedpur FC in 2021, where he continued to be one of the best defenders in the league and show how good he was at defending where he also won the league shield. He stated about what made him continue in India. Eli Sabia said, "For me, India is a place where I feel like my home. The people like me, like my family here. This is why I prefer to play in India."

He further added, "I have stayed here for more than one year, one or two years. This is motivating for me and which is also a new challenge in my career."

Sabia's motivations to his Young teammates

Eli Sabia spoke about his involvement in the team and how he is motivating and helping the young players to grow. "I decided to try to lead in the pitch from my example. I fight every single ball in the field. I think it's a good example in the pitch and outside the pitch. It's good for the new players, the younger players. I have seen good players. Now is my time to help the young players."

The Brazilian further added, "I see the team now, they have too much young players with good quality, the guys are training hard, they are listening to the coach, they are listening to the other players. I hope in the future these guys stay at the top in the Indian Leagues."

Eli Sabia's nostalgic moment in ISL

The Brazilian centre back, reminisced about his League Shield winning journey in ISL with Jamshedpur FC. Eli Sabia said, "It is an incredible feeling, it's good, very good moment in the field.

He said, "That time in Jamshedpur FC they have win and they created one good family with the good players. Everyone in every single games they try fight a lot against against all opponents. This is important for us. And together we guys go for the field which is a positive thing."

The defensive maestro's pre-match routines and superstitions

Eli sabia shared about his pre-match routines which he follows before going to play any matches and who are his motivations before any big match comes up and who he wants to talk to before playing any match.

While talking about superstitions he said, "I don't have any superstitions. No, I just like one thing. I like to talk with my wife and my daughter before the games. It's giving me the power. I mean I feel good when when I talk with my family. This is very important for me before the game. This is good for me. I think this is my super superstition."

Sabia's message to his fans ahead of the I-League

Eli Sabia exclaimed that he just cannot wait to meet the fans in the stadium and give his best with his new team, Sreenidi Deccan to clinch the I-League title this season. He said, "I talk for the fans. I go with my best on the field for them. And I hope the fans follow Sreenidi Deccan this season. I hope we win the the I-League and I hope to see you all soon in the stadium."