My entry into football was through juggling. I developed an interest in it after watching an advertisement featuring Ronaldinho (former Brazilian footballer), Edgar Davids (former Dutch footballer) and Francesco Totti (former Italian footballer) when I was 14. Eventually, I started
taking part in competitions and I used to be the only girl in such events.

It was my university coach at Exeter, UK (where she did masters in Sports and Health Science) who suggested that I should play as a striker. I also got an opportunity to train with Tottenham Hotspur when I was there. It helped me immensely.

Totti was my idol when I was growing up. I still follow the Italian League very closely. I prefer Messi to Ronaldo, Messi is a more fluid player. I prefer his style of football more.

Just like different countries have different styles of play, in India, different states have different styles of play. For instance, the Haryana team will play more of a "long ball", they are better with heads, Manipur like to play short game, they are good with quick passes, Tamil Nadu’s game is very simple but very well-coordinated. Goa always plays with a great deal of passion and West Bengal plays the most physical football, with fierce tackles and all, and almost always results in dead-lock.

Luckily, my family has been supportive right through my career. Whenever I am playing in a city near them, they make it a point to come and see me play. I know I am 32 now, but I don’t intend to stop playing football anytime soon. I want to be a role model to younger players and be an example of how one can play competitively, well into their 30s and up till any age recreationally, if they keep fit.

(Concludes)

(Jyoti Ann Burret is a former Indian footballer. She currently plays for Hans WFC. In conversation with Sangeeth Sebastian, writer and founder, Vvox, a sextech platform. The interview is a part of an AKADialog initiative to capture the lives of newsmakers.)