Legendary football player Levon Ishtoyan believes in victorious day of the Armenian National Team

YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS. Legendary football player of “Ararat 73” Levon Ishtoyan is waiting for the victorious day of the National team of Armenia. He believes that the boys will register great success in the Armenian football. Armenpress news agency spoke about the current level of the Armenian football and its prospects with Levon Ishtoyan.

- Do you regret of anything today, after about forty years of “Ararat 73”?

- I regret that many of our boys do not work today. Some of our friends passed away. Together we made our people happy. Now we are separated. There was a time we wished to establish “Ararat” club but could not do it.

Today when I am watching European football and see the veterans by the side of their teams, I regret that we are not standing by the side of our team. Everything mixed up and we were not kept by their side. Unfortunately, we do not have a day of meeting. I was in the Motherland only during the event dedicated to the “Ararat 73” and celebration of Nikita Simonyan’s anniversary. Years ago I was present on the Independence Holiday of Armenia at the invitation of Vazgen Sargsyan. Vazgen had great plans connected with the development of football: I hope our boys will make them come true.

- “Ararat 73” is the “golden page” in the history of Soviet Armenia. How do you “recite” this page, which moment you will never forget?

- Of course I never forget the most beautiful moment when we won Kiev’s “Dinamo”. Now when I am reviving this moment, I forget where I am and how old I am.

- What is Armenian football missing today?

- We are independent for more than twenty years. None of us would have thought that we will have national football team. There are a lot of difficulties. “Ararat 73” was also national team and all the football players were Armenians.

Now football players are being sold and bought, even victories and defeats are being bought. I do not blame it as currently everything is based on money.

Today good conditions are being created for our football players and the boys are playing with dignity. We just lack experience. There is readiness to work hard. I believe their victorious day will come.

- Do you have your beloved football player in the world and Armenian football?

- I love Pele. But I have learnt tricks from Garrincha. In 1971 I was in Chile with the USSR team. We were taken to Brazil as well and saw how Brazilians were seeing off Garrincha. The audience, 200 thousand people, stood and applauded him. His spouse and seven daughters were sitting by our side. His family was excited from such honor.

- Do you miss Armenia? What exactly?

-I am not in Armenia for already 23 years. The brightest days of my biography remained in Armenia. I will never forget them. I still hear the voices of my fans, even the voice of the policeman who stopped my car saying “Mr Ishtoyan, how can I help you?” When I am alone I am thinking about Armenia.

- You have created your school in the United States. Are your grandchildren training with you? Will one of them become new Levon Ishtoyan?

- About 100 children are training in our academy. We accept children from 5-14 years old. Parents bring their children here for sports training. There are no court stadiums here where children may play. Only parents may take the children to such places but they do not have time to do it everyday.

I have two daughters and six grandchildren. The small one, though his name is Christopher, not Levon, will become a football player, I am sure.