Ashutosh Mehta - Diego Forlan connected with players on a personal level

Mumbai City FC did not start off on the right foot in the Indian Super League (ISL). The Islanders garnered just 16 points in their first and second season in the tournament. The arrival of Uruguayan superstar Diego Forlan caused a reversal in fortune in the 2016 season as Mumbai went on to top the table at the end of the league phase.

Alexandre Guimaraes’ men went down to eventual champions ATK in the closely-fought two-legged play-off tie but a tremendous show throughout the season earned them the deserved plaudits for displaying great consistency.

2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner Forlan played a key role in the rise of the island side. On the field, he scored five goals, including a…