David Castañeda: From Colombia to India, the 'professional' striker setting the stage on fire

Amid gang warfare, gun violence, 'eternal spring', and the scenic beauty of the Andes mountain, Medellin in Colombia has produced some of the most known footballers in the world. From Rene Higuita to Juan Pablo Angel, the list of players who have plied their trade in top leagues and biggest stages in the world is long. And while the distance between Medellin and India is over 15,000 kms, the country has now got its own connection with the Colombian city through David Castañeda, the striker playing for Hyderabad-based Sreenidi Deccan FC in the I-League.The 6-foot-1-inch forward moved to India in 2021 and has since set Indian football on fire with his lethal striking ability. In 42 matches so far, he has scored 29 goals and has seven assists to his name. As per Transfermarkt, Castaneda's current market value is Rs 4 crore - highest in the I-League, India's second division, and in joint ninth-place in the country which includes top division Indian Super League (ISL).The 28-year-old's long journey to the Indian shores has surely lifted the standards of the game in the country, but the footballer who also holds a degree in Industrial Engineering, was not always keen to move to India, largely due to his unfamiliarity with the nation."To be honest I was a little afraid before coming to India. You have to understand that India and Colombia are in different parts of the World. Asia and South America, so far," Castañeda told Firstpost.Thankfully the lack of awareness didn't last for long as Sreenidi Deccan's technical director Fabio Nunes Ferreira and former coach Fernando Varela got the striker ready to switch over from Iraq's Zakho SC. Since then, India has been a happy hunting ground for Castañeda who was the top-scorer in I-League last season with 15 goals and six assists in 21 matches as Sreenidi narrowly missed out on ISL promotion."I spoke to Fabio and Fernando and they told me they have experience working in India and I will be comfortable here. This is a good place, it's my third season in India. It's different here because at the club they take a lot of things from Europe in terms of methodology and in America also we take a lot of things from Europe in areas of technical knowledge and training," he shared."The medical facilities that we have at Sreenidi are not normal in India or in many parts of the world. This company has a long-term vision and I feel comfortable here."Before moving to Iraq in 2020, Castañeda played six years of professional football in his home country starting with Atletico Nacional — one of the biggest clubs in Colombia. Ranked 17th in the world, Colombia reached the quarter-finals on the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[caption id="attachment_13331692" align="alignnone" width="640"]

David Castaneda is looking to help Sreenidi Deccan reach ISL next season. Image: Sreenidi Deccan FC[/caption]For the Sreenidi captain, playing football professionally away from home pays well, but it's not just about the size of the contract, the India sojourn for him is also about bringing in the best aspects of the game that he has picked up in his career so far. Whether it's related to goal scoring, leadership, or professionalism."When you are a foreign player you have more responsibility. Doesn't matter if you are the captain, people are expecting a lot of things from you and you are continuously rated. You cannot get injured, but this is the kind of responsibility that I like to take," the Colombian said. "I believe my philosophy is to set an example. I like to be the best player on the pitch and in training. Work hard before the training, recover well after the training, and be a professional. In India, we have good players, but they need to improve on the professional side."How does the football differ in both countries? Castañeda says, "In football games, I have felt that in Colombia the midfielders try to control the game, but the intensity is different in the I-League or ISL, here the midfielders have a higher intensity. They prefer the box-to-box play."Sreenidi got the 2023-24 I-League season underway with a 4-0 win over NEROCA FC in which David scored two goals. With ISL promotion slipping out of their hands towards the end of last season, Sreenidi has spent crores in the market to put in place a squad well capable of winning the league. Continuing with Portuguese coach Carlos Vaz Pinto, ISL players like Eli Sabia, Gurmukh Singh, and Albino Gomes have joined the team.

In many ways, the ongoing 2023-24 season could be a make-or-break for the club having spent a fortune in the transfer market. Castañeda, who himself had offers on the table but decided to stay, knows the importance of it. However, for a person so well travelled, he also knows the secret to success is to be patient and do his best every day."When you do well, you get a lot of interest. So many sporting directors call you, not only from here but from outside India as well. But I am really happy here. Last season we didn't reach the ISL so that's a challenge for me because that is something the club deserves. From the management, they give us a lot of confidence. They say it's a project and enjoy your games. But as players, we know who we are. We want to be competitive every game," he signed off.