Carrying forward the legacy

That phone call had paved the midfielder’s way from Panjaur to Portugal,which once was not even a dream for the ‘late starter’ and ‘non-serious’ footballer. But when he left for Dubai and more importantly Barcelona on Friday with the national football team,Baldeep was definitely living a few of those.

“I used to go to this ground in Panjaur every evening where a few JCT players used to practice. Hoshiarpur also has a history of producing footballers like Jaspal Singh,Jaswinder Jassi,Daljit Singh. All these names and the interest shown by Sukhwinder Singh and other players inspired me to take up the game. I’m thankful to everybody. Forget being there in Barcelona,I didn’t even think of playing for India,” said the JCT midfielder.

An injury delayed his first India appearance and by the time he stepped in against Uzbekistan in the AFC Challenge Cup,he knew he had a few more nuts to crack.

“Bob Houghton picked me from the few I-League matches I played in Goa. I’m grateful to him but it will be difficult to be a regular in the first XI,” the 22-year-old said with the camps in mind which will determine the final 20 for the Nehru Cup beginning August 19.

Messi on mind
“I will definitely try to meet (Lionel) Messi if he’s there,but I would be better of impressing the coach with Pradeep (NP) and Climax Lawrence being the regulars for my position. It’s an opportunity given to me out of nowhere and I shouldn’t throw it away,” Baldeep said.