ISL 2018-19: "Scar and injury part of my story," says FC Pune City's Iain Hume

Iain Hume during training for FC Pune City (Image: ISL)

Do you feel you could have signed for Pune earlier? They were chasing you for about three years...

It was always an opportunity. They wanted me when I was in Kolkata after the end of the second season. I had a great season there and I didn't want to leave. Honestly, Kerala Blasters spoke to me about returning to Kerala like it was an urgent matter.

An opportunity arose to come to Kerala and everyone knows how much it means to me. It was that kind of situation. With my injury, Pune showed a trust in what my body can do and came back to sign me in the summer. We were talking about the move and sort out what was going to happen. Now I am here and happy.

I can't say I should have signed for Pune earlier. I was always in conversation with the owners and my agent. So it was a matter of time. Now it's the time and I got the opportunity to play for the club.

What do you love most about Kerala Blasters and Atletico de Kolkata (now ATK)?

I enjoyed playing for both the clubs. The main thing that stands out is the fans and their support. You all know about the football fans in Kolkata and Kerala. Manjappada always stick with the team even if they are down. They have had hard years but the people still come to watch the games.

In Kolkata, when we played at the Salt Lake Stadium, about 50,000 people came out to watch us every game and then, during the third season, we won the league. I have been lucky to play for the two football-crazy states in the country. The main thing I like about them is the love for football.

Ferran Corominas of FC Goa and Bengaluru FC's Sunil Chhetri are catching up to you in the number of goals scored. They have 26, while you have 28. Do you think you can maintain a lead with the rest of the games left in the season for FC Pune City?

It's not about me being the top-scorer. A lot of the people on the TV put it down to that. It's not just about that. Somebody is doing that job well and that is Coro, Sunil and Miku. For me, it's not a competition to be the best goalscorer.

My aim is to be part of a great team and win games. If I score 15 goals in the season and Pune don't make it to the playoffs, it's an unsuccessful season as far as I am concerned. As much as I want to score and I love scoring, if we're not winning games, it doesn't mean anything.

I will aim to score goals and I will help the team win. But Coro has been on fire and rightfully he's the top-scorer in this season. Sunil, we know how good he was last season and how good he is now. These players are doing their job really well and I am happy for them.

We strikers love scoring goals. They are close and I will try and add to my tally when I get more game time. The world can see it as a race to be the highest goalscorer but to me, it's the race to be the most successful team.