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Exclusive: Lucian Goian- I deserved a little bit more from Mumbai City FC

Published at :June 27, 2019 at 10:10 AM
Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM
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(Courtesy : ISL Media)

Shivam Tiwari


The 36-year-old defender has been a free agent and is yet to find a new club.

Lucian Goian has been a name synonymous with Mumbai City FC for the past few years. The Romanian defender has been an absolute legend for a team that struggled for a leader before him. Goian has been one of the best defenders to have played in the Indian Super League and his numbers are second to none.

Lucian Goian signed for Mumbai on a two-year contract and was immediately established as the captain of the side. The 36-year-old powered the metropolis franchise to the semi-finals of the ISL last season and was promised an extension of his stay. But, the defender, who is still a free agent, has not been offered a new deal.

Infact, Mumbai have already roped in a replacement for him in Mato Grgic. Disillusioned by the turn of events, Lucian Goian has started exploring other possible destinations. We caught up with the centre-back in his native, to reflect on his time with the Islanders and look ahead to what the future may hold. Excerpts:

Q1: After having been a cornerstone of the Mumbai City side for three seasons, you’re suddenly on the market. How did it come to this?

A- Yes, three amazing years in India. Every time I came back to India, I felt very happy. I had some very great moments there and my family was always welcomed there in India. I found that I was really appreciated not only in Mumbai, but throughout the country.

Even now, I receive messages from fans, not just of Mumbai, but also of teams like Kerala, Jamshedpur and Pune as well. I've received messages from them and they really appreciate what I did so far in India. I think they like my style of play because I tried to play every game giving my 100%. So, probably that is why they like me.

Lucian Goian
Lucian Goian has one of the most prominent defenders in the ISL in the past couple of seasons

Q2: We understand that you had offers from other prominent clubs in the ISL, but missed out on them, as you waited for a response from MCFC? Can you please elaborate on the circumstances?

A- Yes, I had some talks with some teams in India. For Mumbai, for now, I really don't know what is going to happen next season. I'm waiting. The fact is that I will like to come back to India. I would like to play one more season in Mumbai.

But, also, I'm open for a new challenge, to come back to India. I would like to play for a team who have a good objective. I don't want to come just to take the money and to live because this is not me. So, I want to fight for the playoffs, fight for the final because this has to be everybody's objective and not only of mine.

Q3: Having initially promised you an extension in principle, do you have any indication as to why the club have dragged their feet on the issue?

A- I cannot say that it was disrespect because I had a very good relationship with everybody there. Maybe, I was deserving a little bit more. But, it is a part of football. Doesn't matter if I'm coming back or not, I have left some very good memories behind in India.

I would love that all the people will remember me as a good player, as a good defender. I really hope I come back to India to play one more season or even finish my career in India. But, we'll see.

Q4: We’ve learnt that the coach proposed a system of rotational captaincy last season. However, you weren’t keen to be part of any such arrangement. Why?

A- Before the last season, I was the captain of the team and I think I did a good job as a captain. Before the season, the coach decided to make the rotation for the captaincy and to be honest, I did not agree with that. So, I took a step back and let Amrinder (Singh) and Paulo Machado make the rotation for the captaincy. In my opinion, every team needs to have a captain, a leader.

First captain, second captain and third captain. If you have a rotation, I do not agree because everywhere in the world, every team, they have a captain. But, I said to the coach, this will not affect my play, my game or my training because I will be the same Goian as of the last few years. Okay, maybe I did not like it because I knew I deserved to be the first captain, but it didn't affect me.

After a week, I forgot all of that and if you look at my numbers, I did a good job. 80% of the teams played with two foreigners in the back four and most of them had a defensive midfielder. But, Mumbai had only me in the back four and an Indian defensive midfielder. Imagine me playing with (Mourtada) Fall from Goa and (Ahmed) Jahouh in front of us. It would have been very difficult to score against us.

Q5: You’re already 36. How much longer do you think you can continue to play at the top level?

A- I don't know what will happen in two years, but at least for one year, I will be as good as last season. Because I didn't have any injury in my career, I didn't have any muscle injury. If you check my games, you'll know. Physically, I'm very good. 90 minutes for every game, every week.

If you check the statistics how much I was running, you'll know that I was doing pretty well. Physically, I am good. Mentally, I am the strongest I ever have been. If after the season I feel I am not 100%, I will end my career because I don't want to struggle. Age, to me, it is just a number. I hate losing, even in training, I'm very critical of myself.

Q6: Are you open to moving to an I-League club? If yes, what is your response to the assertion that this would be a step down for a player of your stature?

A - As I said, I am open to every option. Even I-League can be an option. After my first season in India, some top I-League clubs like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal wanted me. But, the move didn't happen. It is a good project. I don't want to come here for money and go back home.

Lucian Goian
Lucian Goian is remains a free agent at the moment

If it is a good project and considering that I can be with my family, my son - I have to provide him with some facilities. It has to be a good city. Because if it was only me, I would go to any city, it doesn't matter. For my son, I want to think also about his education. He's a foreigner coming from Europe and it is not easy to live in India. But, I'm open to a new challenge.

Q7: You remain a fan-favourite of Mumbai City supporters. If we assume that Lucian Goian played last game for the club, what message do you have for the fans?

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A- My fans, they know my feelings because I love them. They love me and I love them. Every time I was coming back, I was counting the days until I reached Mumbai. I was counting the days until the first game happened in front of our fans because even if we didn't have so many fans like Kerala, all of them came for every game with heart.

Every member of the team found them behind us, but it was very special for me because they had songs for me, they waited for me at the airport. They come to my home before I leave after the season. They all have a special place in my heart and I will always remember with pleasure about the Mumbai fans. They know that they have a special place in my heart.

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