Youri Djorkaeff, The World Cup Winner, Considers Football Becoming The Most Famous Sport of India

Former French footballer, Youri Djorkaeff, said that he knows that it's a different sport and cricket is famous in the nation, but the situation could be different in the coming days, and football could become popular.

Frenchman Youri Djorkaeff has played for nine clubs which includes Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, English outfits Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers among others. In his 18-year career, he was studded with a World Cup medal in 1998.

An LFP ambassador now, Djorkaeff feels even a club with the resources of Paris Saint-Germain requires to be playing tough opponents at home for thriving in the Champions League.

He also mentioned that football in India can acquire more popularity in the coming years, though cricket remains higher on the popularity list in current times.

He added that he has heard that the Indian league is becoming much stronger and stronger. He said this at an interaction with the Indian media ahead of the Coupe de la Ligue final BKT on Saturday.

He also said that he knows that it's a different sport, and cricket is famous in the country, but the situation could be somewhat different tomorrow and football could become more famous. He was invited for visiting India in January, but he couldn't make it.

Talking about the difference between the football leagues in Europe, Djorkaeff said that the Premier League is special because of the competition between the top teams and the clubs below them.

He said that in England, you don't have the time for preparing. What is unique in England is anyone can beat anyone. This is the best football in the world.

A 2018 World Cup winner with France, Kylian Mbappe is necessary for PSG and the welfare of French football and league, the 51-year-old said.

About the difficulty of PSG keeping a top player like Mbappe, Djorkaeff said that Mbappe will be a priority player for all the big clubs in the world. It will be so much significant for PSG for keeping him and for the French league as well.

Djorkaeff feels for his countryman and former Arsenal forward, Thierry Henry, who was sacked by Monaco just three months into his job.

He said that hee had a bad experience, but the current situation Monaco was in made life difficult for Henry. He is sure that he will be back. He loves football a lot and given the right circumstance, he'll return and do well.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/football-could-become-indias-most-popular-sport-says-youri-djorkaeff-coupe-de-la-ligue-2019/article26692804.ece