Harshika’s journey from neighbourhood football to the professional stage in Europe

Q: When did your football journey begin?

It began when I was about seven years old. I used to play with the boys in my neighbourhood building compound every evening. At that time, I didn’t realise it, but slowly I started falling in love with football.

"I just loved having the ball at my feet. I even carried a football everywhere I went — even on family vacations."

Q: Did you always have opportunities to play football in school?

Not initially. In school, the girls’ football team was only for students from Grade 8 onwards, and I was still in Grade 4 when I first asked the coach if I could join.

He told me I had to wait.

But by Grade 5, I convinced him to give me a chance, and that’s when I started playing for GD Somani School. I was the youngest player in the team, but I was always the most enthusiastic — running everywhere and enjoying every second on the pitch.

Q: When did football become your main focus?

In school I played almost every sport — handball, basketball, volleyball, cricket, hockey, kabaddi, table tennis, kho-kho and athletics.

But football was always different.

Whenever I had training for another sport that involved a ball, it somehow ended up at my feet. The coaches used to scold me and say that if I loved football so much, I should just go and play that sport.

Eventually, I did.

Q: When did you start playing club football?

My mother helped me join PIFA FC when I was in Grade 8. That’s where I played my first Mumbai Football Association match at Karnataka Ground.

I still remember the excitement of taking a half day from school just to play that game. Once again, I was the youngest player in the team.

Q: Was there a moment that made your dream bigger?

Yes — when I went to Barcelona for a football camp.

I got the opportunity to watch my first live match in a stadium, and by pure luck it was one of the final games of Andrés Iniesta for Barcelona. The crowd, the stadium, the atmosphere — everything was unbelievable.

"Seeing that stadium in Barcelona made my dream real — I started dreaming of playing in front of crowds like that one day."

Q: How important was coach Varin Mehta in your journey?

He has played a huge role in my career.

After Grade 10 he told me that if I trained with him, he could help me reach the highest level. At first I didn’t fully believe him, but I joined his summer camp at my school.

Within a month my game changed. In one inter-school tournament I even scored two goals directly from the halfway line.

Since then he has been a constant mentor and support in my journey.

Q: Did you face difficult phases in your journey?

Yes, like every athlete there were difficult phases.

"During lockdown I trained two or three times a day under coach Varin’s guidance. It was exhausting, but that period changed me as a player."

Q: Tell us about your state and national-level experiences.

I captained the Maharashtra team at the SGFI U-19 National Championship, leading them to a fourth-place finish.

I also played for Kenkre FC in the Indian Women’s League, where I spent almost three seasons and even captained the team for a year.

I was also selected to represent Maharashtra at the National Games 2022 in Ahmedabad. Another proud moment was representing Mumbai at the Mini Olympics, where we won the gold medal.

Those experiences helped me grow as a player and understand the competitive level of football.

Q: Tell us about your most memorable moments.

One of my most memorable moments came during the Mumbai District tournament final in Palghar.

With the match tied in stoppage time, I received a long ball, took two touches, and unleashed a powerful strike that secured the winning goal.

It remains one of the finest goals of my career.

That performance also earned me a place in the Maharashtra Senior Women’s Team, competing in national tournaments across the country.

Q: How did the opportunity with Gokulam Kerala FC come about?

Soon after, another major opportunity arrived — joining Gokulam Kerala FC, one of India’s top women’s football clubs. It was a dream move.

That season, the team went on to win the Indian Women’s League title, marking their historic third consecutive championship.

Although I did not receive much playing time initially, I refused to give up. Instead of seeing it as a setback, I treated it as motivation to improve. The following season, I joined the club’s academy squad to prove myself and continue developing my game.

Q: What were some of your biggest achievements during that time?

While playing in the Kerala Women’s League for Gokulam Kerala FC, I scored 12 goals in 10 matches, including a hat-trick scored entirely from free kicks. I finished as the second-highest goal scorer that season.

Later I also finished as the second-highest scorer in the Kerala Premier League.

Those moments reminded me of what I was capable of.

There was also a season when my confidence dropped and I even thought about quitting football. But I never stopped showing up and kept working.

Q: How did Aspire FC impact your journey?

"Playing with Aspire FC brought back something I had been missing — happiness."

Living and training together with my teammates reminded me why I fell in love with football in the first place. It brought back the simple joy of playing the game.

Soon after that, another extraordinary opportunity arrived.

Q: Tell us about the opportunity to play in Europe.

Through Varin’s connections in international football, I received an opportunity to play in Romania.

It was an incredible experience. I trained under coach Mirel Albon and played alongside Romanian national team players. I also scored my first goal for the club in a friendly match in Hungary.

Playing in Europe helped me understand the level and professionalism required in international football.

Q: What came next after your experience in Romania?

After playing in Romania, I received another opportunity through Varin’s connections — a trial with RWDM in Brussels, Belgium.

I travelled there for the trial, and the club was impressed with my performance. On the third day itself, I experienced snowfall for the first time in my life. That same day, during a practice game, I scored two goals.

Soon after, I was signed mid-season.

The team had already completed their first leg and were placed second on the table when I joined. Since then, I have been part of the squad and have continued contributing with goals.

I would also like to thank my manager Dan Lubelski, and my extended family — Philip Bloch, Didier Bloch, Muriel Bloch, Chantal, and Marisol — for their constant love and support throughout this journey.

Q: Did you face challenges choosing football as a career?

Yes. I come from a business-oriented family background, so many people questioned my father about why he allowed me to pursue football professionally.

But his answer was always the same:

"This is her passion and her career. I support her completely."

That belief gave me the confidence to keep going.

Q: Who have been your biggest supporters throughout this journey?

My entire family has supported me from the beginning. My father has travelled to almost every place where I played matches and has always been my biggest supporter.

I have also been blessed with incredible support from Varin’s family — his mother, Shital Masi, Rashida Aunty, his cousin Jaansi and her parents, and many others. They have always motivated and supported me like their own family.

I truly consider them all a blessing.

Q: What is the dream that still drives you today?

"My biggest dream is to represent India and proudly wear the national jersey."

Everything I am doing now is a step towards that goal.

And I will keep working until that dream becomes a reality.

Somewhere in the memories of a young girl juggling a football in her building compound lies the beginning of this journey. Today that same girl is playing on international pitches, proving that dreams born in small spaces can travel across the world.

Harshika’s story is not just about football — it is about belief, family, and the courage to follow a passion despite every doubt.

And somewhere ahead, waiting patiently, is the moment she has dreamed of since she was seven — stepping onto the pitch wearing the colours of India.

- SportsActionDesk