Bengaluru, Sep 20: Sony Norde has already been hugely popular after his skilled and crafty game guided Mohun Bagan to clinch the I-League two years ago. [Full schedule of ISL 2016]

The Haitian international striker has also been a regular member of Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) for last couple of years.

Norde, who was once mesmerised in the presence of Argentine superstar Juan Roman Riquelme during his brief stint with Boca Juniors, seems to have experienced the same feelings last week where he trained with another Uruguay great Diego Forlan.

The former Golden Boot winner in the FIFA World Cup 2010 has joined Mumbai City FC for the coming season.

And Mumbai based team that had made two draws and won in other matches, just returned to Mumbai after completing a four-week pre-season training in Dubai.

Norde, speaking over phone on his experience in Dubai said: “Most of the great footballers in the World have some similarities in their attitude and training method.

"They become extremely professional which means they never compromise with football. I had never seen Riquelme to bunk training or to lessen the timing of training.

"Even I have never seen him to finish the training despite the fact he has not been able to master some skill."

Norde whenever asked about the specialties he watched in Forlan, clarified: “Even after having retired for the competitive football he is amazingly dedicated.

Even, after we finished our daily training Forlan did not leave the field. Rather I watched him training on one particular skill."

The Haitian international added: “When I asked him the reason Forlan replied me saying, unless you master one of your desired skills which you have been trying to implement in the match, your standard of game will not be uplifted."

Norde, commenting on his team's forward line this season, comprising Sunil Chettri and Forlan, said, “With this excellent forward line we must expect to be champions at least."

OneIndia News