Luka Majcen credits India for saving his football career

Punjab FC striker Luka Majen has given credit to Indian football for saving his career at the top level. The Slovenian revealed he was on the verge of quitting football but India gave him a breath of fresh air to keep going.

Majcen has been the cynosure of all eyes since he joined the Shers in the Indian Super League. In the ongoing ISL 2024-25 season, the 35-year-old has scored five goals in eight matches. 

The veteran was also at his best in the previous edition, scoring eight goals and providing two assists in 22 games for the Shers, who were included in the ISL after winning the I-league.

“I always wanted to play in the ISL! I didn’t even know about the other leagues. So I thought, let’s go, maybe someone from the ISL will see me,” Majcen said in the interview, In the Stands show.

Majcen played for Churchill Brothers in 2020 and ended I-league as the second-highest goal-scorer but he could not get any deal in the ISL.

“In the first year, we lost the league by goal difference. And then I thought, surely someone would’ve seen me since I was the second-highest goalscorer. But nothing! I went home. I was training, but there was nothing! And then someone called me, it was Richard Hood from FC Bengaluru United!”

Majcen also played an instrumental role in leading Gokulam Kerala to I-league glory but said he was on the verge of giving up football.

He said, “I was on the verge of stopping football. So India basically saved me. I started enjoying football again. I was scoring every game, we were winning every game, I was man of the match every second game.”

When asked about his future, Majcen reflects on his motivations: “I’m not playing for money. I just want to take care of my family and play football where I feel appreciated. And I feel appreciated here.”

Punjab FC will next take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi on 26th December.