Top scorer in the Hero Elite League when the tournament was last played, Akshunna Tyagi is all set to start a new journey as a professional footballer. The Delhi youngster has been named in the final Hero ISL squad for the upcoming season and he is looking forward to giving his best as well. The OFC Media Team caught up with him for a short conversation. Here are the excerpts: 

Love for football

Akshunna: Football has always been a passion. As a kid, I used to play a lot of sports like cricket, badminton and sometimes tennis too but football always had a different place in my heart. I instantly fell in the love of the game. During my school days, I always used to play football a lot during my free period and sometimes by bunking the classes. I decided to take up football as a career during my mid-teens I guess when I started playing a lot of tournaments for my school and outside teams as well. I just enjoyed every single game. 

Childhood role model

Akshunna: I used to love watching Barcelona play for the way they were playing. Especially, Messi. He has been a big childhood role model for me and he still is. I just get really inspired by the way that he plays. To see that guy doing what he does day in and day out for such a long period is just amazing. 

Biggest inspiration

Akshunna: The biggest inspiration in my life will be my family, my father specially. He is a very active person. He watches a lot of sports. He loves playing badminton and he has always been my number one support. I just take inspiration from him. Everything he does, he gives his 100 percent.

Other Sports he follows

Akshunna: I watch all different kind of sports like tennis, badminton all the Olympic sports. As I mentioned, my family loves watching sports. We like watching kabaddi as well and cricket a lot. I would like to say that I love watching tennis. I like the Big 3 and love watching them play. I take lessons that they teach every time they play. 

Aim and aspirations

Akshunna: My aim for the future would be to get better every day and give my 100 percent every time I step on to the field. I want to make it to the top 11 of Odisha FC. Also, I would like to represent my country. Playing for the Indian national football team and achieving great things will be the biggest dream of all. 

The biggest moment of his career so far

Akshunna: I think it’s just the beginning of my career and I have still got a lot to improve on, to work on and a lot to achieve in my career. But, that being said, in the short career that I have had until now, one of the best moments for me would be being the top scorer of Hero Elite League with Odisha FC’s under 18 side. It was a great season for me. 

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