Jorge Ortiz was obvious from the start. He is in the peak time of his career and would love to face new challenges. And when FC Goa came calling, the 28-year-old couldn’t turn down the offer. A product of the Getafe youth system, Ortiz has spent his entire career in Spain and this will be the first time, he will set foot on a mission outside his native. One of the four Spanish singings by the club this year, the former Atletico Madrid B star will play a pivotal role in FC Goa’s Indian Super League and AFC Champions League campaign. Sportslight Media caught up with the man himself in an exclusive interaction. Excerpts…
You have spent your whole career in Spain. What made you shift base to India?
It was a new challenge. I am my peak and wanted a new challenge. I already was aware of the league and the club, thanks to my acquaintance with Edu (Bedia) and Carlos (Pena). The league is professional, the facilities are good and everything that I heard about the club, the fans and the city was top notch. And of course, the way FC Goa play football and the vision which Juan Ferrando has, everything fits in perfectly.
FC Goa will play the AFC Champions League this season. How excited are you to be a part of it?
It’s a big challenge and it is going to be an honour to go and represent India at the continental stage. This was one of the reasons I signed up for the team and I am really looking forward to it.
FC Goa boast some of the exciting Indian talents…
I really want to meet my teammates. I’m sure I can learn things from them and teach them things too. I hope to be training with all of them soon.
Despite coming close on few occasions FC Goa haven’t been able to put hands onto the title. Will that be an added pressure?
I see it as extra motivation, not pressure. Surely it will be achieved soon because the club is doing things very well and in the end, the efforts will bear fruit.
Fans have always been FC Goa’s 12th man. But with all games to be behind closed doors, will that affect the morale of the side?
It is very different to play without the fans, I already have experienced the same, so it won’t come as a real jerk or surprise to my system. However, once the referee blows his whistle, our minds will firmly be on the action on the pitch and we will play the style that suits us best. I hope they can be there soon because I have heard very well about the FC Goa fans and the passion for football here.
What’s your take on the talismanic Sunil Chhetri?
He is a stalwart of Indian football. I have heard about him from my friends. He is looked up to by people in India and deservedly so. (Sunil is the top-scorer for India and is currently the second-highest among active international goal-scorers just after Cristiano Ronaldo).
Several Spanish players have been successful in ISL. Does that make you more confident? Did you have a chat with any of them before about football in India?
I share a great relationship with Edu (Bedia) and have played with Carlos (Pena) as well. I know other players from Spain who played in the league. And everyone had nothing but good things to say about the club and the league. Everything I heard about the club, the fans and the city were top notch.
Finally, your message to the fans.
I would like to tell them that I hope they will be with us soon that they are our most important player and I hope that they continue to cheer from home because we will be able to feel their support. Hopefully, soon we can celebrate great things together..
