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Soham was called up for trials with the India Under-19 team in 2020, a major milestone in his career. He considers donning the Indian jersey as a great achievement and a moment of pride that further motivates him to push himself.The 22-year-old currently plays for Terrassa FC, who represent the club’s B team in the second division of Catalonia, while the senior team competes in Spain’s fourth division.According to him, football in Spain helped him grow technically and mentally, and the competitive environment was a valuable learning experience.Soham named Brazilian star Neymar as his early inspiration. However, with time and a deeper understanding of the game, he feels that each player brings something different to it. Today, rather than idolizing one individual, Soham believes there is something to learn from everyone and focuses on improving by taking lessons from all the players he watches and plays alongside.From Indian football, Soham calls Sunil Chhetri “the king” and draws inspiration from his achievements and leadership. He likes FC Barcelona and Argentina’s Boca Juniors and dreams of representing a club of similar stature one day through hard work and determination.
Soham with teammates during training with Terrassa FC.
He hopes to one day represent his favorite ISL club, NorthEast United FC. But for now, he’s focused on gaining experience and improving his game.According to Soham, the difference between players from India and Spain is not talent but exposure that sets them apart. However, he feels that the standard of young Indian footballers is constantly improving.“India has talented players and improving facilities, especially with ISL clubs now offering strong infrastructure. However, football does not receive the same level of investment and attention as other sports, which limits growth. The biggest gap is still exposure to the competitive environment,” said Soham in an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com.Soham emphasized how crucial the ISL is to Indian football. He said this not only gives young players much-needed exposure and professional experience, but also keeps fans connected to the sport.“The ISL is the main league that people in India associate with football in recent years. Without it, the sport loses visibility and structure. Even though the format and wages have changed, it’s good that the players are back on the field — playing matches is the most important thing for footballers,” he added.Soham’s short-term goal is to break into his club’s first team, while his long-term goal is to play at a higher professional level in Spain. Representing India at a higher level remains a clear dream – he believes it is achievable with consistent hard work, dedication and belief in his abilities.
Soham in action during the match.
“To represent India at the senior level is everyone’s dream. It could happen very soon for me if I keep working hard. We will see – it takes effort but if it happens it will be a proud moment,” added Soham.Soham is optimistic about the future of Indian football. He believes that with the right focus and commitment, India has the potential to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.“We already have top players like Sandesh Jhingan, Lallianzuala Chhangte and many more. If we focus well and give it our all, I believe we will achieve this in the next few years,” he said.Apart from football, Soham is deeply spiritual and credits his faith for keeping him grounded.“I always pray and look up to God every day because He is the one who gives us opportunities. We are truly blessed to have everything we have. There will be bad times but they will always pass. The key is to stay positive, focus on the right things and always be happy and smile,” he said.