EXCLUSIVE | Cristiano Ronaldo mindset, Grandpa's support: The making of India's best footballer - Lallianzuala Chhangte

“Chhangte is very important, if not the most important, player for the future of Indian football,” were India football coach Igor Stimac’s comments during an interview when asked about the energy Lallianzuala brings in. Stimac made the assessment during the SAFF Championship last year in Bengaluru, which India won after beating Kuwait in the final. Chhangte, 26, enjoyed terrific form last season and was named the AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year 2022-23, only the second player from Mizoram after Jeje Lalpekhlua (2016) to bag the honors.

Elaborating further on Chhangte’s influence on the field, Stimac drew parallels between him and Cristiano Ronaldo, calling the Mizo “a proper role model of professional football.” He was a pivotal member of Stimac’s set-up, making 12 appearances for the national side in the 2022-23 season.

If we shift our focus to Mumbai City FC, the club Chhangte plays for, he was the highest scorer among Indians in the Indian Super League (ISL) last season, during which he hammered ten goals and provided six assists in 22 appearances.

However, growing up, Chhangte was never a Ronaldo admirer. The admiration towards the talismanic footballer only developed gradually. It was mainly due to Chhangte’s influence towards English Premier League side Chelsea, a team that has been celebrated in the Chhangte household for three generations now.

“My dad, my grandpa, and I are huge fans of Chelsea. Even if it was midnight, 1 am, or 12 pm, I used to wake them up and watch together. We never missed a single match of Chelsea,” Chhangte told Sports Now in an exclusive interview on Tuesday.

However, it was after Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester, the Mizo started drawing inspiration from the former’s lifestyle and called it “a champion’s mind.”

“When I heard about Cristiano Ronaldo, I was not a huge fan. Chelsea and Manchester United were the most rival clubs in those days. But when I watched him perform consistently, doing great things on and off the pitch, I started to notice. I started to do some research on what he used to do on and off the field and I got to know that he completely has a champion's mind. His mentality is different. The way he works, the way he performs. So I tried to adopt that lifestyle as well.

“So even though we were losing, I mean Chelsea was losing in the 2008 Champions League final against them (Manchester United). I hated them that day but I became a huge fan when he left Manchester United.

“But most importantly, the way he works, the way he dedicates himself, he was determined to be the best. And it's not all about talent, if you have talent but you don't work hard, then the talent goes to waste. So it's all about combination, I take that into my life and my lifestyle as well.”

Chhangte’s goal is to “become the best version of himself every single day,” a narrative echoed by his coaches and teammates previously, and arguably it is likely to remain the same in the future.

However, the prodigy from Mizoram would've never been discovered if not for his grandfather, who played a major role in shaping his present. “My mom and dad were teachers, so they wanted me to study, and education is really important. Until today, I am still a student but at that time, I really wanted to be a footballer. I think that one of the reasons they (my parents) didn't want me to become a footballer was the lack of professional players. You could count them on your fingertips. Mama (Shylo Malsawmtluanga), Lalrindika (Ralte), Jeje (Lalpekhlua), and a few more. So it was a big risk for them and for me as well.

“But there was one good thing, my grandpa was a huge football fan and used to support me. Even though my mom and my dad didn't really want me to play at times, they didn't want me to buy a ball or a football boot, my grandpa used to buy it secretly. And I used to keep my ball, and my boots in his room, so that my parents wouldn’t discover. So my grandpa was a constant supporter and without him, I think I wouldn't be here as well.”

Representing India and transforming into a professional footballer is a commendable feat, but being named the best in the country is even more noteworthy. “Coming from a village, I never thought I’d be one of the best players in the country. There are so many more talented players than me, I know that.

“And I think first and foremost it's truly a blessing from God, without his grace, I wouldn't be here today. And secondly, support from my parents since I was a kid. Even though they were not supporting me at first, when they saw me try to become a professional footballer, when they saw me focusing, when they saw me playing, trying to become better day in and day out, they were convinced and started supporting me since then. And of course, the coaches and the clubs, the country played an important role.”

Reminiscing the moment, Chhangte pointed out that the day he was named the AIFF Men’s Footballer Of The Year, India was playing a match and was unaware of the information. It was his friend from Mizoram, who rang and congratulated him on the honor. Shortly after, his phone was flooded with calls and congratulatory messages, followed by a mid-flight announcement while he was heading home after the SAFF Championship.

“When my name was announced one of my friends from Mizoram told me ‘You won the AIFF award.’ And I didn't know because we were having a match that day. So, I was not convinced. ‘Are you sure? Like no one has called me yet and you are telling me I’m the AIFF player of the year, I don't think so.’

“And then I was like I have to check it and then people started congratulating me, the AIFF called. I think dreams did become a reality that day. I was so happy.

"Going a bit further while I was traveling home, I'm a shy person at least outside the pitch, so I didn't want to be announced, especially on the flight. It’s a little bit awkward. And then the crew, they were like ‘Are you Chhangte? We want to announce that you were being awarded the AIFF player of the year.’ And I said ‘Please don't do this, please don’t do this.’ But I couldn't stop.

“So, I appreciate the love and the blessings. When I went back home, the whole town came to see and congratulate me. I couldn't express how happy I was. I would never be able to repay. The messages I got that day and until today. I was so happy but mostly you can say I'm blessed,” he signed off.