ISL 2017/18: Avram Grant has changed NorthEastUnited FC atmosphere from stressful to relaxed, says Marcinho

In ISL 2017/18, NorthEast United have eschewed the more traditional strategy of pursuing marquee players and expensive talent in favour of a more sabermetric approach. Marcio de Souza Gregorio Jr, more commonly known as Marcinho, is the standout player of this unconventional bunch, having played admirably for teams in Russia, Turkey and Brazil, among others.

Marcinho is NEUFC's top goal-scorer this season and has been their best player to date. We at Sportskeeda caught up with the Brazilian star at a time when the Highlanders have just started to get the results that were expected of them after former Chelsea boss Avram Grant took over.

Q: Could you tell us about how you got into professional football?

Marchinho: From the time I was born, football has been my life. As a kid, I used to play football in the streets all day, and every time, I dreamt of becoming a professional footballer. I think about football all the time. And to be honest, I never realised when I turned professional. For me, it was all about playing football, so I don’t really remember when it started in a professional manner.

Q: What does a kid learn about football from playing in the streets?

Marcinho: Playing in the streets is very difficult. There is no field, and you have to play on the concrete. [There are] no proper goalposts, very small goalposts and... less space, so when one plays in the streets, they learn about ball control, turning [within a] small area, and, of course, precision, because the goal is very small. All the big players from Brazil, you know, they put these skills into play when they turn professionals.

The best thing, though, about street football, is that it makes you fall in love with the game. You don't worry about results and all, you just play, and that love for football is very important for a professional player.

Q: As a kid who was your biggest Idol?

Marcinho: Romario. Yeah, as a kid I wanted to be like Romario.

Q: You have played in the K-League of South Korea, one of the biggest leagues in Asia. How different was that experience when compared to the ISL?

Marcinho: There is a bit of difference in the quality of football played in both leagues, but that is also because the K-League is an established league, whereas the ISL is just four-years-old. I feel when the ISL will be a more established league, it will be one of the best leagues, no doubt about it. But again, I must say the difference is not very much.

The good thing is that in the ISL, a lot more people come to the stadiums compared to the K-League, and the fans in India are more passionate than fans in Korea. From what I have seen, I feel the people in India love football more than people in Korea.

Q: What was your initial assessment of the Indian Players that are playing in the ISL?

Marchino: I think they are good, but they can improve a lot. I have seen a lot of players in our team, and in other teams too, who are good, and the Indian players will get better

Q: Before coming to NorthEast United FC, you were playing in Turkey, so how was your time in Turkey?

Marcinho: Short (laughs wryly)! I joined Gaziantepspor from Russia but they had a lot of problems regarding payment of wages, and a lot of other problems too, so I joined them, spent six months there and left the club.

Q: How was your spell at CSKA Sofia?

Marcinho: Sofia was ok...They too had problems regarding money, but other than that it was OK. It was the problems regarding payments that made me leave Bulgaria.

Q: How was your time with UFA in the Russian Premier League?

Marcinho: Amazing. Russia was amazing from a football point of view and also personally. I learnt a lot, got to play with a lot of big players in one of the best leagues in Europe. It was amazing, the [whole] experience in Russia.

Q: Throughout the span of your professional life, who has been your biggest mentor?

Marcinho: Even in terms of professional life and personal, my biggest mentor and supporter has been my wife. She has been with me since the start of my career, from the time I was 17, and she has been my support system.

Enter captio — Marcinho with his family in Guwahati during the interaction.

Q: Which club did you dream of representing in Europe?

Marcinho: Every kid in Brazil dreams of Real Madrid and Barcelona... For me though, it was AC Milan. I really like them.

And, well, I played for Corinthians in Brazil, which is a big club, a very big club, but I always wanted to play for Flamengo. Well, I couldn’t, but let's see, maybe in the future.

Q: So how did the ISL and NorthEast United happen for you?

Marcinho: After I left Turkey, I was home, and a football agency (Football Solutions) from India rang me up and [told] me about the league. They (agents Arbaz Ahmad and Varun Achr) showed me how life was... and about the teams. After that, I thought for a few days and spoke with my wife. After that, she said I should come to India, and I decided to come here. And now I am happy to be playing in the ISL.

Q: Brazil and India, on a cultural basis, are very different, but have you found any similarities between the two countries?

Marcinho: Yeah, both the countries are very different, but the people of both the countries are very loving and are passionate people. That is one similarity that I have seen between the people of Brazil and India.

Q: After the change in coaching staff and manager, how is the mood in the dressing room?

Marcinho: Well, now I think we are better. Not because we have a new manager, but because now the mood in the dressing room is very relaxed. Things under Deus were not very good.

There was a stressful environment in the dressing room all the time. Unwanted stress, but now we are more relaxed and happy, which is very necessary to play good football, and I feel now we can gain more points.

Q: Leaving aside NorthEast United FC, which teams have impressed you the most in the ISL?

Marcinho: Kerala! The atmosphere in Kerala is absolutely superb. And also Chennaiyin as a team have impressed me a lot.

Q: Which player in the ISL has impressed you the most?

Marcinho: Iain Hume for Kerala. He has been brilliant.

Q: Can NorthEast United still make the playoffs?

Marcinho: Why not? Of course, we can. We have eight games left and 24 points to play for, so of course, we have a chance, and we will play out our hearts to make it happen. But we cannot afford to lose stupid points like we did in the first half of the tournament.

Q: When do you think we can expect to see India be a dominating football force in Asia?

Marcinho: Well, I think soon. They have good players, and with the league improving every season, I feel India will be a powerhouse in Asia soon.

Q: Which Indian player in NorthEast United FC has impressed you the most?

Marcinho: Lalrempuia Fanai! He [is] really good on the ball, and he is calm and cool. He is a quality player.

Q: If you had to give a piece of advice to the young Indian players playing in NorthEast United, what will it be?

Marcinho: Have more focus and believe in your capabilities. If the players focus and have [the] belief that they can do it, then we will see them perform even better, because they have talent.

Q: The FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia is just months away. What are your expectations from Brazil this time around?

Marcinho: I have a strong feeling, and I am 90 percent sure that Brazil will be champions.(Smiles broadly at this).

Q: Have you had a chance to follow the I-League?

Marcinho: No no, I only know that there is a team named Neroca, who we played during pre-season. They impressed me a lot during that match. How are they doing now?

[He seemed excited on hearing that Neroca are third in the I-League.]