I was surprised to get selected Bayern Under-19 World squad: Shubho Paul

Sudeva FC captain Shubho Paul has admitted that he was surprised when he got selected in Bayern Munich Under-19 World Squad. The youngster wants to tick the right boxes and make his country proud when he goes to Germany for his training.

The 17-year-old forward was selected from U-19 players from around the world through video footage analysis by FC Bayern legend and 1990 World Cup winner Klaus Augenthaler.

Paul now harbours hope of playing for the Indian senior teams and also wants to play in the Indian Super League. The talented youngster is expected to get good exposure in Germany and he will look to make the most of his experience of getting the best facilities and coaches.

“I was surprised to see my name there. But it’s really an amazing feeling. I need to make my nation proud, once I go there (in Germany),” Paul told the official AIFF website.

“I want to play in such a manner that they should look at my game and think that a good player has come out of India. Ultimately, I would love to make it to both the Bayern and India senior teams.”

Paul will first travel to Mexico where he will train for 13 days with the rest of the squad of 15 players. Subsequently, he will move to Germany for his second leg of training.

Meanwhile, initially 100 players were selected from across the globe and then the list was pruned to 64, 35 and finally 15.

“Once I was selected in the 100s list, we had different kinds of assessment over video calls with the coaches from the club. Then finally, when they announced the list of 15 players that will train and play in Germany,” the player from Bengal said.

Paul will look to give his best in the training sessions and it will be a great opportunity to learn and grow in confidence.