Indian Football Exclusive | "Sometimes I feel like quitting, but I am not a quitter," Mohammedan SC's David Lalhalsanga wants to win I-league with the club

David Lalhalsnaga, the most celebrated name in Kolkata football right now, a few years back wanted to quit football. The 21-year-old striker has struggled a lot to come through the ranks and earn his name in recent times after winning the Golden Boot in the Durand Cup 2023.

20 goals in 15 games in CFL, Golden Boot in Durand, David is ready for I-League

David currently having his dream run for Mohammedan Sporting Club and has already scored 20 goals in 15 games in the Calcutta Football League helping his team get close to winning the title. Lalhalsanga came under the limelight when he scored against East Bengal in the Hero Super Club last season in a 2-2 draw for Aizal. Then, Mohammedan Sporting roped him in and he went on to do wonders in the first tournament of the season, Durand Cup 2023.

Lalhalsanga scored in every game of Durand Cup 2023, netting as many as six goals in just three games. You just wonder how many he would have scored if Mohammedan had qualified for the knockouts. His goal against Desmond Buckingham's Mumbai City FC was just a testimony of the talent this young centre forward possesses. Then he went on to score against Indian Navy followed by a hat-trick against Jamshedpur FC II, which nearly helped them qualify for the semis.

David is now very much focused on utilising this dream run to help Kolkata Maidan giants Mohammedan Sporting win some trophies.

"First of all, God is the reason that I can reach this stage, who strengthens me and guides me through all of my matches, without God I'm nothing. Secondly, my fellow teammates. We have a strong connection. The concentration and the cooperation when we practice in the field, led us to reach this situation. As the I-league is coming ahead, we plan to practice more and try our best to play," David Lalhalsanga told Sportz Point in an exclusive interview.

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David left his home at the age of 13 to play football

Although David is going through one of the best times in his life at the moment as a player, scenes were not bright and sunny for him in the past. David comes from a village near Vairengte in Mizoram, where he did not get any opportunities to play the beautiful game. So, he had to do the unthinkable.

David Lalhalsanga left his home at the age of 13 to play football. He went to Aizal for better opportunities in football. If it was not for his coach Malsawmkima, David would not have had a roof to stay under during his days in Aizal. He admitted that even now sometimes, he wants to quit football and help his family. But, his love for the game keeps him going and helps him do more and more.

"You all know about my struggle. Sometimes I want to quit and help my family instead, but whenever I try to quit, I remind myself what I was playing for, and what goals I have, and the goal is to give my family a comfortable life. That helps me to push myself more and more," David expressed.

"I am going to stay here in Mohammedan:" David Lalhalsanga

After a dream run at Mohammedan Sporting Club, there was no shortage of rumours of him leaving the club and joining some big names in Indian football. However, as of now, the wonder boy of MDSC wants to ignore all of those and stay focused on winning the I-league for Mohammedan Sporting Club.

"There is a rumour that I am going to move to another club. I request you do not believe any of that, as I am going to stay here in Mohammedan. I'm planning to play the best of me for Mohammedan and to win the I-league," David told us.

"To me, Mohammedan supporters are like my family as they always support me in every single match, their support encourages me to play well and boost my confidence. Whenever I score and see them shouting, smiling and cheering, that happiness makes me happy. To make my supporters happy, I try my best to play well and score more goals," David went on to say.

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"I'm not a quitter:" David Lalhalsanga

Just like any other footballer in the country, David Lalhalsanga wants to don that Indian jersey as well. But, he knows the reality of that dream and admits that he is still a long way from realising that dream. He wants to keep on getting better and scoring goals for his team so that someday, he can live his dream of singing that national anthem wearing that blue.

"Every footballer's dream is to play for the Nation. But everyone cannot play for the nation. I also dream a lot about playing for the nation, but as of now, it's really difficult to reach my dream. I'm not a quitter, so I will practice more than ever until I make it to the national team."