With two trophies under his belt in two years, Mumbai City (MCFC) winger Lallianzuala Chhangte has lit up the Indian Super League (ISL) with his electric performances. Chhangte has 41 ISL goals and is now set to take centre stage in the national team. With the legendary Sunil Chhetri hanging up his boots, India needs another spearhead to lead from the front. And the 26-year-old from Mizoram is very much a contender. Chhangte spoke to ELLE about Indian football and what it takes to be a champion.
ELLE: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sandesh Jhingan, and Sunil Chhetri have long been celebrated icons in Indian football. You’ve emerged as a key figure alongside them in the past two seasons. How does it feel to inspire young football fans in India?
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Lallianzuala Chhangte: For my name to be mentioned alongside the likes of these players is a massive honour, considering they’ve been my idols. I’ve been following in the footsteps of these players and trying my best to do what they’ve been doing on the pitch. When I walk into the stadium and see young football fans cheering me on, I have a renewed drive to perform my best.
ELLE: Indian players have been performing exceptionally well at MCFC. How does it help to be at a club like that?
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Lallianzuala Chhangte: I don’t want to be pompous, but this year, the whole team, especially the Indian players, performed way beyond expectations and proved what Indians are capable of when there’s trust placed in them. This year’s milestone of winning the Indian Super League in its 10th year was surreal. Being a part of MCFC has taught me so much about my playing style and how to play with a team of different minds with the same goal. This club constantly strives to be better in every game, which has pushed me to be the player I am today.
ELLE: In the ISL Shield decider, you missed a big chance and lost the game, but then you scored in the semis and the finals to win the ISL Cup. How do you handle these highs and lows in football?
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Lallianzuala Chhangte: It was so frustrating at that moment to have had those chances and not be able to take them. I’d always end up questioning my abilities. But then I realised that it’s all about the mentality. I could miss penalties and scoring opportunities, but it’s all about doing it all over again. I’d train on the pitch and try to fix what went wrong without losing faith in myself. There is so much adrenaline in this sport that the highs are very high, and the lows are very low. I firmly believe that hardships and lows are a must to attain success. I’ve coped with them by not being too hard on myself and learning from my mistakes. When I look back at all the highs and lows, they’re all the greatest stories of my life because there is so much to learn from them.’
ELLE: MCFC has emerged as second-time champions of the ISL in the last ten years. How do you feel about being part of a milestone like that?
Lallianzuala Chhangte: I am immensely proud to be a part of this milestone. The ISL has completed ten years, and I’ve been a part of it for almost eight years. This high-quality and dynamic league has done a great job of elevating football’s position in India. The biggest factor contributing to the team’s win was everyone’s focus on winning the cup no matter what. It wasn’t easy with strong opponents, but we managed to do it.
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ELLE: The World Cup Qualifiers are coming up. What is your message to Indian fans who haven’t begun watching Indian football?
Lallianzuala Chhangte: There is so much I would like to say about this. Football is a uniting sport for millions all over the world. In India, there is quite a craze for English and European football, which is a great thing. However, the same support should be extended to Indian football. I would love for football fans in India to support and encourage us nationally and internationally. Come to the stadiums and fill them up, cheer us on. That is what will make Indian football prosper.
Read the full story on ELLE India’s new issue, or download your digital copy via Magzter.
