Ljungberg says inaugural ISL will be successful, can change future of Indian football

Former Arsenal and West Ham United winger Freddie Ljungberg has said that the inaugural Indian Super League would be a success.

Ljungberg would play alongside former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka for Mumbai City, managed by former Sunderland boss Peter Reid. He said that in their first game there are going to be 1,10,000 fans there so it looks like it's going to be a success.

The two-time Premier League winner added that it is a new experience and he is looking forward to working in a new country, The BBC reported.

The Indian Super League (ISL) starts on 12 October and lasts for 10 weeks. World Cup winners Alessandro Del Piero, Marco Materazzi, David Trezeguet and Robert Pires are among other high-profile names playing in the league, aimed at improving the popularity of football in India.

Ljungberg, who won the Premier League with Arsenal in 2001-02 and 2003-04, also said that there is a lot of work to do, but added that the organisers have been extremely professional in terms of the back up for all the players.

The former Arsenal winger said that he has only been there a few days but how they have pitched it is that there is a massive interest in football among India's youth.

Sweden international Ljungberg also said that there is pressure on the big-name players taking part in the ISL to perform on the pitch and inspire youngsters off it. He said that there is expectation on them, and added that people in India are hoping that they are going to play some good football.

But, Ljungberg said that as marquee players they also need to help off the pitch. He added that there is so much they can do to try and inspire people and he is excited to be a part of that.

Ljungberg said that if the international footballers can inspire some of the youngsters then hopefully they can change the future of Indian football.