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Eidur Gudjohnsen not ruling out possibility of playing in Indian Super League

By Dev Trehan

Thursday 25 May 2017 18:09, UK

LONDON - DECEMBER 12: Eidur Gudjohnsen of Chelsea celebrates scoring their second goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Arsenal and Chelsea
Image: Eidur Gudjohnsen would consider return to India

Eidur Gudjohnsen would consider a return to the Indian Super League (ISL) after injury ruled him out of the competition last year.

Gudjohnsen, who was part of the Iceland squad that reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, joined FC Pune City shortly after last summer's tournament, linking up with the ISL side for pre-season training in Spain.

Wayne Rooney of England is consoled by Eidur Gudjohnsen of Iceland after the UEFA EURO 2016 round of 16 match in Nice
Image: Gudjohnsen consoles Wayne Rooney after England's Euro 2016 loss to Iceland

But the former Chelsea and Barcelona forward suffered an ankle injury a fortnight before the ISL kicked off, dashing the hopes of fans in India eager to say him play on the subcontinent.

And Gudjohnsen - replaced at short notice last season by former Liverpool and Juventus midfielder Momo Sissoko - is not discounting the possibility of returning to India for the fourth edition of the ISL later this year.

"I wouldn't rule it out. I haven't officially retired," Gudjohnsen told Sky Sports.

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"I have been a professional for 23 years now and I've enjoyed my time off in the last few months but I'm keeping things open.

"Not being able to play last year was a huge disappointment for me. It was a new challenge for me, something different.

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YOKOHAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 14: Eidur Gudjohnsen of FC Barcelona celebrates with Ronaldinho after scoring goal during the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2006 Sem
Image: Gudjohnsen won six trophies during three seasons at Barcelona

"I suffered the injury after I did all the pre-season with Pune and after playing in lots of friendlies.

"I didn't expect to be so severe but after the scans it was pretty obvious - because of the relatively short length of the season there - that I wouldn't be able to play a game because I wouldn't have recovered in time."

The eight-team ISL has been contested over 10 weeks since its inception in 2014 but this season's competition will be longer and is expected to see the addition of at least one new franchise.

Atletico de Kolkata with Indian Super League trophy
Image: Atletico Kolkata are two-time Indian Super League champions

The ISL takes place after India hosts its first FIFA-sanctioned tournament, the U17 World Cup, which kicks off in October. With India reaching an all-time high of 100 in the latest FIFA rankings, Gudjohnsen predicts a bright future for one of football's sleeping giants.

"They still have a bit of a way to go in terms of infrastructure and investment but the excitement certainly seems to be there," he said.

"I think cricket will always be the number one sport but the feeling I got out in India was that there is definitely a growing interest in football."