Mumbai: Nathan Rodrigues enjoyed an exceptional vantage point as he witnessed Mumbai City clinch the Indian Super League title last season. With a hint of irony, he refers to those moments as the “worst feeling ever.”

This title was secured at the conclusion of the defender’s inaugural season with the club, marking his first experience in top-tier Indian football. However, it was a season in which he did not participate in any matches.

“It was a challenging time for me, being part of the first team yet remaining on the bench,” he shared with HT. “I understood that I had areas to improve upon, particularly my physicality and intensity.”

This year, however, has brought a change in his circumstances, as the 21-year-old has played in 22 out of 24 league matches for his team. The season has been tough for Mumbai due to numerous injuries affecting key players. Nevertheless, Rodrigues has emerged as a vital contributor, helping the team secure a playoff position, which commences this weekend.

“The coach (Petr Kratky) approached me at the airport following our defeat to Jamshedpur in September and asked if I was prepared,” Rodrigues recounted. “He observed my performance in training and subsequently informed me that I would be starting in the next match.”

Since then, he has not looked back. Over the course of 1389 minutes this season, he has delivered remarkable tackles, made significant interceptions, and scored three pivotal goals.

His first goal for the club was a stunning volley from a corner routine that led to a victory against Kerala Blasters. The second was a well-placed header that earned a point against Chennaiyin FC. The third goal, perhaps the most unexpected, came during a match against League Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant earlier this month.

With his team down a player and facing the league leaders at home, Rodrigues surged forward during a corner. A defender attempted to clear the ball, but it deflected off Rodrigues’ head and found its way into the net.

He remarks, “I still needed to position myself effectively.”

“This season has had its highs and lows, but my primary focus is on continual progress. For me, it has been a journey of learning. I have built up momentum, and my mindset has shifted. I now feel a sense of confidence.”

The feedback he receives from teammates and coaching staff after matches has been crucial for his ongoing development. Additionally, he benefits from insights provided by his parents in Arambol, Goa.

“My mother was my initial coach, and she still calls me after games to discuss all the mistakes I made,” he shares with a laugh. “She never mentions the positives, only the negatives.”

Rodrigues describes his entry into the sport as somewhat competitive between his parents. His mother, Anunciasao, was a former state-level player, while his father, Sylvester, played volleyball internationally.

“I trained with my mother in the mornings and with my father in the evenings,” he explains. “However, when I began to excel at the Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) Academy, scoring goals and winning tournaments, my father advised me to concentrate solely on football.”

After spending two years at the academy in Arambol, he was chosen for the all-state academy in Margao. By the age of 14, he was invited for a trial at the RF Young Champs Academy in Mumbai, where he was ultimately signed by Mumbai City.

During the international break, there has been little time for rest as the team gears up for the playoff match against Bengaluru FC on March 29. Nevertheless, Rodrigues is eager to put in the effort—this dedication has transformed him from a player who spent time on the bench to a regular starter on the field.

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