In a significant development highlighting the ongoing crisis in Indian football, Spanish striker Javier Siverio has parted ways with FC Goa by mutual consent. The move paves the way for the forward to join a club in Cyprus when the international transfer window reopens on January 1, 2025.
The Reason Behind the Sudden Departure
Siverio's decision to terminate his contract stems directly from the profound uncertainty that has brought the domestic football calendar in India to a grinding halt. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been unable to announce a start date for the country's top-tier competition, the Indian Super League (ISL), due to the absence of a commercial partner. This indefinite delay has left players in limbo, with most having played only three competitive games this season during the Super Cup.
The 26-year-old trained with the Gaurs at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim as recently as Friday but will not feature in their final AFC Champions League Two group-stage match against FC Istiklol on December 24. His departure marks a swift end to his stint with the club, having been a summer signing for coach Manolo Marquez, who reunited with a player he previously managed at Las Palmas in Spain and at Hyderabad FC, where they clinched the ISL Trophy in 2022.
Coach Manolo Marquez Fears a Growing Exodus
Speaking to the Times of India after the training session, Coach Manolo Marquez expressed no surprise at Siverio's choice. "Everyone is a professional footballer and needs to continue playing," Marquez stated. He highlighted the difficult predicament facing players, noting that while it is challenging for Indian footballers to seek opportunities abroad, he anticipates a wave of departures among foreign contingents. "I think a lot more foreigners will leave India in the next few days," he warned, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The crisis has forced many ISL clubs to halt their first-team operations. FC Goa has been an exception due to its involvement in continental competition, but the future remains bleak without a clear domestic schedule.
Siverio's Unique Indian Journey and What It Represents
Javier Siverio's initial move to India in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, broke the mold. Unlike many foreign players who arrive in the subcontinent in their thirties seeking a final lucrative contract, Siverio was just 23 years old when he heeded Manolo Marquez's advice and embarked on his Indian adventure. His early departure now symbolizes a reversal of that trend, driven not by career twilight but by institutional instability.
His exit raises urgent questions about the immediate future of the ISL and its ability to retain international talent. With the league's commencement shrouded in doubt, the fear of a talent drain, as voiced by Marquez, appears increasingly likely to become reality, posing a significant challenge to the competitiveness and appeal of Indian football.
