'Tendulkar’s motivational words helped me overcome depression’

Jhingan said the Kerala Blasters co-owner changed his philosophy and taught him not to stop dreaming.

Indian footballer Sandesh Jhingan on Tuesday revealed how iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar’s motivational words worked like a balm when he was left dejected after his team >Kerala Blasters Football Club lost the ISL final .

“There will be lows in everyone’s life. And for me, the loss in the Hero ISL final came as a big disappointment. We were depressed and that’s when someone put an arm on my shoulder. It was Tendulkar. ‘Get over it. It took me six attempts to win the World Cup,’ [he told me]. This came from the best ever,” Jhingan told reporters here.

Tendulkar is co-owner of the Kerala Blasters FC, which lost the inaugural ISL final to Atletico de Kolkata, last December.

Jhingan said these inspirational words changed his philosophy and taught him not to stop dreaming.

“These words made me understand that you can never quit from dreaming. That separates the best from the rest. The rest may quit but the best will always carry on,” he said.

Jhingan is a part of the Indian squad that has been preparing for the 2018 World Cup Preliminary Qualification match against Oman scheduled for Thursday at Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

Lavishing praise on Stephen Constantine, Jhingan said the Team India Head Coach has been a great motivator besides being a shrewd tactician, and that he would get goosebumps after hearing him speak.

“Stephen Constantine is such an inspirational man. He always demands discipline — on and off the pitch. He is a great motivator besides being a shrewd tactician. His talks give me goosebumps,” he added.