Liston Colaco reveals thoughts on Indian football fans labelling him as a 'superstar' | OneFootball

Indian football team winger Liston Colaco has spoken up on what he thinks of his star status as a footballer and how he keeps his feet on the ground despite all the media and fan attention he has received in the last couple of seasons.

Colaco was incredible last season for ATK Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League and he also scored a hat-trick for them in their AFC Cup 2023 qualification group stage match against Basundhara Kings, a group in which his team ended up as a table toppers.

Speaking to the AIFF media team, Colaco was told he is considered a superstar by fans in the country and he was quite shocked as he replied, "You must be kidding (on fans labelling him as a ‘superstar’). I never ever think likewise. I am just another player in the team trying, and working hard to do my job.

"Most importantly, I have just started my career as a professional player, and there is a long way to go. Never ever in my life will I consider myself as a superstar. My mantra in life is simple – keep my head down and feet on the ground, and continue working hard."

Colaco was then asked about his hat-trick in the AFC Cup to which he replied, "It’s been with me ever since I scored the hat-trick in the AFC Cup. It’s just a reminder as to how grateful I am to my teammates for the goals – not just on that day -- but in each and every match. In football, we need to keep working together to achieve results. No one can ever feel as an individual that it’s all about him -- as everything is of the team, for the team, and by the team."

The Indian football team begin their AFC Asian Cup qualification journey on June 8 when they take on Cambodia, before facing Afghanistan and Hong Kong on June 11 and June 14 respectively.