Kochi: Meeting Noah Sadaoui is like experiencing a burst of energy—much like the one he exhibits on the field.
Just as this writer sat down for the interview, he walked up with a wide smile, instantly filling the room with his infectious charisma.
And in an instant, everyone in the room was sporting a smile, much like Sadaoui’s.
It’s easy to see why the fans have fallen in love with him.
The Golden Boot winner with FC Goa last year has taken the Indian Super League (ISL) by storm this season, undeniably emerging as the best player for Kerala Blasters so far.
But why did he make the move in the first place?
Finding his place at Kerala Blasters
“I wanted to be somewhere where I felt the appreciation, and, you know, I felt that they actually wanted me,” Sadaoui said when asked about his decision to join Kerala Blasters.
Noah Sadaoui joined FC Goa in 2022 and signed with Kerala Blasters for the current season.
“It was important for me because I know how I am as a player. It’s very important where I feel I belong, and people want me to be there,” he said.
Sadaoui’s path to Kerala was a deliberate choice.
Despite offers from other clubs, it was the interest and respect shown by Kerala Blasters’ management that sealed the deal.
“From when I spoke with the management, they showed a great interest in me, and that was the main reason for me wanting to come here.”
Sadaoui’s time in India has been exciting. In a short period, he has become a fan favorite, and when this was mentioned, his smile widened.
“I’m happy to be here,” he said, his enthusiasm palpable.
“One of my best moments was signing for Kerala Blasters, not saying that because it’s the media, but because I had such an amazing start and felt a genuine connection with the fans and the club.”
Embracing the beautiful game
With all the love comes a fair share of pressure, especially with Kerala Blasters yet to secure silverware.
“Yeah, there’s pressure. The fans expect a lot,” Noah admitted.
“But I like it. When you’re too relaxed, you don’t perform at your best. I like to feel the pressure because it pushes me to do better.”
His foray to the world of football wasn’t through a professional academy but rather originated on the streets of Morocco.
“It was just me and my friends playing barefoot in the streets. I always had a dream, like every kid, to play professionally. But it was just for fun at first,” he shared, eyes lighting up with nostalgia.
Noah’s transition from FC Goa to Kerala Blasters was smooth but required some adjustment to the playing style.
“Here, it’s more direct football. And honestly, I love it. It suits my game—I’m fast, and I know how to exploit space. It’s working well for me,” he said.
When asked about Indian football’s future, Noah was hopeful.
“The league is growing, and when the league grows, the national team will too. I see it in training—players are more competitive, trying to improve every day. It’s going to be good for the national team.”
Having played in multiple countries and leagues, Noah reflected on how the Indian Super League (ISL) compares.
“Every country is different, every league is different. You’ve got to adjust. But I’ll tell you, the ISL is more aggressive than some other leagues I’ve played in. Technically and tactically, it’s getting better every single season.”
Noah unfiltered
As the conversation evolved numerous interesting nuggets started to emerge, such as Sadaoui’s take on superstitions, something many athletes hold dear.
“Yeah, most players have something like that,” he noted.
“I try to stick to a routine. If I sleep at a certain time, I want to make sure I’m asleep at that exact time. And when I eat, it’s always the same: pasta with garlic and chili flakes. It’s worked for me, so I keep doing it. Sometimes, I even wear the same shoes if I’m on a good run!”
One of the most curious things about Sadaoui’s game is his ambidextrous ability to score with both feet, leaving fans guessing which one is his stronger foot.
To this, he responded with characteristic laughter.
“Definitely my right foot. But I think I have more power with my left when I shoot.”
His celebratory antics on the pitch have also become a hit with fans. When quizzed about his now-famous hands-over-ears gesture, he grinned.
“I want to hear the fans loud!”
When reminded of the similarity to Messi’s celebration, he was quick to clarify, “I’m not a Messi guy. I’m a Ronaldo fan! It just comes naturally to me.”
When asked about the worst celebration among his teammates, he chuckled, “I haven’t seen all the celebrations yet since the season just started, but I have to say Milos has the worst celebration!”
Sadaoui is fueled by the energy of the fans in Kerala.
“Playing in front of them gives me chills. It’s like having a superpower when they’re behind you,” he explained, his eyes lighting up.
In a short time, Noah Sadaoui has made Kerala Blasters his home.
His passion, energy, and love for the game are unmistakable, both on and off the pitch.
As we wrapped up the interview, it was clear—Noah isn’t just playing for the fans in Kerala; he’s thriving because of them.