Jon Toral, the Spanish midfielder, is in his first season with Mumbai City FC and has quickly settled with his family in the island city. With a wealth of experience, Jon graduated from La Masia, where he looked up to stars like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. He then moved to Arsenal at a young age, alongside his close friend Hector Bellerin. After playing for several top European clubs, including Birmingham, Rangers, and Hull City, Jon has now set his sights on a title challenge with Mumbai City FC.
However, it hasn’t been the ideal start for the Islanders this season, with only two wins in their first seven games. Still, Jon is confident that Mumbai will bounce back stronger after the international break. In this exclusive interaction with RevSportz, Jon reflects on his inspirational career, his bond with Mumbai’s players, and his title aspirations with Mumbai City FC. Here’s how the conversation unfolded:
Question: This is your first season in India. How has the experience been so far?
Jon: It’s been great. The family is settled in, the kids are going to an international school here, and my wife is happy as well. Everything is going according to plan. Now, it’s just time to focus on football, get the results, and move up the table.
Question: Was there a specific reason for signing with Mumbai City FC, especially since you had the option to extend your contract with your previous club, and also received offers from others?
Jon: At this stage of my career, I wanted a challenge that would give me the chance to fight for titles. In Europe, that’s not always easy, given the leagues and levels. Mumbai City FC offered that opportunity. The club has a history of winning titles, and I wanted to be part of that.
Question: Mumbai City FC has only two wins in seven games—quite rare for a title contender. Where do you think the team is lacking, and do you think the international break will help improve performance for the upcoming games?
Jon: We need to improve in every area. We know that. The good thing is that we’re not losing many games—only one so far. The challenge is to convert those draws into wins. That’s something we’re working on. The league is very tight right now, with teams being very close to each other. It’s going to be an interesting season. The challenge is to get on a good run of results, and I’m confident we’ll do that.
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Question: Chhangte and Brandon are two of the most talked-about players in Indian football. Do you see them as standout talents on this team?
Jon: We are working as a team, not as individuals. Chhangte, being the captain, and all the foreigners and Indian players work together. I wouldn’t pinpoint just one person. It’s more of a team effort, and that’s what gives me confidence that the results will come and improve.
Question: As a La Masia graduate, one of the world’s top academies, can you share some of your experiences there?
Jon: I’ve always said I’ve been very lucky to learn about football at La Masia. For me, it’s like the Harvard of football. It’s not just about football on the pitch, but also about the values they teach you off the pitch. These values are very important for becoming a footballer and progressing in your career. I spent eight years there, from when I was eight years old until I was 16. I learned so much, and I loved it. I’m lucky and thankful to have had the chance to be part of that academy.
Question: Did you ever meet any senior team players during your time there, like Lionel Messi or other stars?
Jon: At the time, Messi wasn’t yet a senior player. He was becoming one, but you’d still see him and other future stars around the younger teams. It was great to be in an environment where you could learn so much.
Question: I heard that you had a close bond with Hector Bellerin from your La Masia days. Do you still keep in touch?
Jon: Yes, he’s a good friend of mine. We left Barcelona together to go to London, to Arsenal. We spent a lot of time together, especially when we moved from Spain to England. We had each other to help adapt to life in a new country. We still share a great friendship and are in touch.
Question: I saw a photo of you playing against Messi during your time with Granada. Could you share what that experience was like?
Jon: It was one of my childhood dreams to play at the highest level, and to play in a stadium I had watched on TV as a kid. It was a great experience, though short. I only spent six months at Granada, but I got the chance to play at Camp Nou against a Barcelona team full of stars like Messi, Suarez, and Neymar. It was an amazing game, even though we lost 1-0, it was a fantastic experience.
Question: Jude Bellingham, have you ever met him?
Jon: I’ve never met him personally. When I first joined Birmingham, he was still very young, and in my second stint, he had already moved to Borussia Dortmund. He’s a great talent, and now, one of the best players in the world. I have great memories from my time at Birmingham.
Question: Indian players often seem less confident in the national team compared to the ISL, where they rely on foreign players in key roles. Do you think this reliance helps or hinders their development? Also, is having experienced foreign players in the league beneficial or limiting for local players?
Jon: I think it’s different for Indian players when they’re playing alongside foreign players in the ISL versus when they’re with just Indian teammates in the national team. Having foreign players is beneficial for the league because they bring a lot of experience. The national team also has a great manager, though the players haven’t had many games under him yet. Over time, I believe they’ll gain more confidence and improve under his guidance.
Indian players take their role in the national team very seriously, with a strong attitude and the will to win for their country—there’s nothing bigger than that. It’s an incredible opportunity for them, and I’m sure they will rise to the challenge and secure wins for their country.
Jon Signed off.
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