From Córdoba to Calcutta to put the icing on 130 years of history

The ways of soccer are inscrutable. And is that despite running the same premises during adolescence -were neighbors in the Cordoba neighborhood of Sector Sur-, Fran González (Córdoba, 1989) and Fran Morante (Córdoba, 1992) had to travel almost 9,000 kilometers to immortalize their friendship. Together they conquered in Calcutta the second I-League in the record of Mohun Bagan, the oldest club in the country and one of the longest-lived in all of Asia. “Signing here has been the best thing that could happen to me. I came with the intention of winning the league and getting it was an incredible feeling. I have enjoyed it to the fullest, “says Morante. González, for his part, continued with the winning trail with which he arrived from Hong Kong:” I feel better than ever. Over the years you reach maturity and that allows you to improve performance. I am happy because the fans asked us to win the tournament and we have done so“

González and Morante are not, however, the only Spanish protagonists of this story. Mohun Bagan was masterfully led by Kibu Vicuña. Another Basque, the midfielder trained at Real Sociedad Joseba Beitia, was in charge of commanding the team's attacks on the pitch. “After passing through Cyprus, Thailand, Poland and Hong Kong, he missed working with Spaniards”, discovers González, for whom, despite playing as central or midfielder, it would have been impossible to score 15 goals “without Morante's defensive solidity, Beitia's assists or Kibu's confidence. ” Joseba, who among all competitions accumulates five goals and 17 assists this course, lives in India his best year as a professional soccer player: “The season is being spectacular”. “Kibu is a very smart coach, it is very difficult to take on a new team and implement your philosophy. He has done it and that is why we are champions”, completes the '10' of Mohun Bagan.

Despite the fact that the coronavirus crisis forced to suspend the competition just before the expected Calcutta derby against East Bengal, the Spaniards of the Mohun Bagan live with the tranquility of chaining 14 games without losing -historical record in the I-League- and have been proclaimed champions four days in advance. A serenity interrupted by the merger with ATK, which gives a 180 degree turn to his future plans in the country. “The normal thing after a year like this would have been to renew, but now everything is in the air“says Fran González.” For the coaching staff and the players, the news of the merger with ATK was one more reason to demonstrate what we are capable of. The club did not expect to put this climax to 130 years of history. Not even in his best dreams “, completes the Cordovan footballer.

While waiting for news from the club, Kibu, Morante, González and Beitia take stock of a “spectacular” season in which the most difficult has been “the weather”. “One day we could play against Real Kashmir at -4 degrees and the following week we could do it in Calcutta at more than 30“Beitia discovers.” The most positive thing, “and everyone here agrees,” has been wearing Mohun Bagan's shirt. “” When I received the offer and saw videos of his fans, I was clear that I wanted to play here, “discovers González.” When you get here you realize all the privileges we have in Spain. We are lucky and we should not complain about nonsense“adds Morante, who is already preparing his second celebration of the season.” Now I am looking forward to returning to Spain to finalize the details of my wedding, “he says.