ISL has to overcome challenges: Mikael Silvestre

New Delhi: Former France and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre today said that the upcoming Indian Super League may face challenges in the initial year but expected to overcome them later.

"In India, infrastructure for a game like football is the main challenge. There is a great potential and a lot of enthusiasm among people, but the basics need to be right," Silvestre told PTI after unveiling the new shirt of Manchester United in India. "I think ISL will also have to face these challenges in the initial years, but I am hopeful that these will change with passage of time," he said. Silvestre stressed on the need of I-League`s progress even if ISL kicks off successfully. "If the country hosts ISL, I think it will be a boost to the football, but it should not forget about I-League. It should serve as a ground of bringing up more and more young talents," said Silvestre, who is in India as an expert on football on television for the ongoing World Cup. Talking about the World Cup, Silvestre could not hide his excitement about the high-voltage semifinals and said that this time the summit clash could be between Argentina and Germany. "This time it is an amazing tournament with so much of drama and surprises. According to me, the final will be between Germany and Argentina."