We always look up to footballers for their fitness and discipline, says Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli has admitted that as cricketers, they always look up to the fitness levels that footballers maintain and the discipline in their schedule that allows them to reach the highest levels. Kohli further added that he would prefer Cristiano Ronaldo over the Brazilian Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Cricket has reigned supreme as India’s most loved and followed sport for decades now. But slowly and steadily, with major triumphs in other events, sports entertainment has become a more level playing field, especially with football. Having already raised the bar for his teammates with his strict fitness ethics, the football-loving Indian skipper expressed how cricketers have plenty to take away from their contemporaries in the 90-minute game.
“We always look up to footballers for their discipline. It’s a requirement of the sport that you need to be at your absolute best to be able to take the field. Football players are very particular about professionalism, in terms of physical preparation, nutrition and rest periods. We learn a lot from them,” Kohli told TOI in an exclusive interview.
Although he himself is one of the fittest cricketers around at the moment, Kohli believes that only the fast bowlers can be compared to footballers as physical endurance becomes a major factor in fitness.
“I think the only people who can be compared to an extent in terms of endurance are fast bowlers. Cricket is not a sport which requires amazing physical endurance. Football is fast and played within 90 minutes where you have to be absolutely fit to take control of the situation. In cricket, the fitness level requirement is not as high (as football). But if you strive to be as fit as footballers, then you do things at a different level in cricket,” Kohli said.
For reasons of sharpness, discipline, hard work, Kohli prefers Cristiano over ‘El Phenomenon’ and the Argentina and Barcelona genius. But he further added that he truly appreciates Messi’s natural talent and Ronaldo’s revolutionary career.
“I would say Cristiano is the most complete player that I have seen. Messi is a freak, absolute natural talent, and his ability is second to none. (Ronaldo) The Phenomenon, on the other hand, was something else. His place is special, but if I had to take only one in my team who will give energy and intensity, it’s Cristiano,” he said.
Already the Indian skipper is involved in football in some capacity as the co-owner of the ISL franchise, FC Goa. He hopes to take on an even bigger role in the development of the sport when he calls time on his cricketing career.
“I want to not just be seen at the stadium but be at the grassroots level, where I want to make an impact. If the system is in place, the sport is in a good state. That’s going to be one of my priorities (after retirement). Football will take a lot of my attention because I am involved with FC Goa, but for sports in general, I want to contribute in such a manner that people benefit at the grassroots,” Kohli added.