PANJIM: A playing time of 22 minutes, that’s all FC Goa’s Romeo Fernandes could do during his short loan stint at the Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense. The speedy winger who had already returned to India in the last week of May has now confirmed to play in the second edition of the Indian Super League, living out on his Brazilian dream.
Romeo did create history by being the first Indian to play in Brazilian football, but in the process also lost a golden opportunity to make his debut for the Indian National team which played two World Cup 2018 Joint Preliminary Qualification matches against Oman and Guam on June 11 and 16 respectively.
“I have requested Atletico Paranaense to release me from my loan stint as I would like to be in India to participate in the ISL 2015 for FC Goa,” Romeo said in a press statement.
The Goan lad was barely afforded an opportunity in the first team at Atletico but was nevertheless grateful for the facilities and care that was made available to him by the South American outfit.
“I would like to thank Clube Atletico Paranaense for the unique opportunity on my football career, offering me, high class facilities of accommodation, nutrition, training, Portuguese classes and introducing me to the Goan family who could help me settle in Curitiba,” the youngster expressed.
“From day one, Clube Atletico Paranaense has been very hospitable and looked after me in the best possible way, more than I could have asked for,” he added.
The 22 year-old cited his desire to play for FC Goa in the upcoming ISL season and the fact that he wasn’t able to break into Atletico’s first team as his foremost reasons for his decision to return to India.
“I have requested the club (to allow me) to return to India only because firstly, I would like to play for FC Goa in the 2015 ISL and secondly, (because) I could not break into official matches on a regular basis,” he explained.
“At this stage of my career it is important for me to be playing, so I thought it’s best to request a return to India. For now my next goal would be to concentrate on playing with FC Goa,” he reasoned.
Playing regularly for FC Goa would boost his chances of getting back into the fold for his country.
