"There’s always pressure when you play for a big club," admits Adrian Luna, in this exclusive interview with The Bridge. (Photo credit: KBFC)

There’s a chill in the air as Adrian Luna walks into the room. His is a quiet but commanding presence.

He smiles—gently, yet with the confidence of a man who knows his place in the world.

As he takes a seat, he seems ready for a long conversation, one that will explore not just his journey in football but his deep connection with Kerala Blasters.

Now in his fourth season with the club, Luna has received tempting offers from other Indian clubs, including some of the biggest names in the league.

Yet, he chose to stay.

“You don’t leave your home,” he tell this , an opening statement that encapsulates his loyalty and love for the club and its passionate fanbase.

And gradually, Luna opens up about the journey that led him here, the pressure of leading a team that has come close to glory but hasn’t yet lifted the trophy, and the unique bond he’s forged with the fans who adore him.

Starting his career at a young age, Luna reminisced about his early days in football.

“I started when I was a kid playing on the street with my friends,” he recalls.

Moving to Montevideo at 16, Luna realized his potential.

“It was a dream to play for my first club, Central Español, and then to represent my national team at 17. That was my beginning.”

Now in his fourth season with Kerala Blasters, Luna has quickly won the hearts of fans with his relentless work ethic and passion on the pitch.

In a world where footballers often chase lucrative contracts, Adrian Luna’s decision to sign a long-term deal with Kerala Blasters this off-season surprised many.

After three successful seasons, speculation swirled around potential offers from other clubs, but Luna chose to stay.

“It’s like when you are at home, and some friends invite you to live at their place. I say no; I prefer to stay at home," he says.

With the club struggling to win a major trophy, the outside noises suggested that the captain might be interested in finding success elsewhere.�

“Changing clubs doesn’t mean you’ll win a trophy. I’m happy here. This is home,” he emphasizes.

“The fans themselves make me feel at home,” he shares.

“When we play at home, the atmosphere is unbelievable. The relationship we’ve built is special. They see me running everywhere, and I think they like that.”

As captain of the Blasters, Luna is no stranger to pressure, especially after coming so close to winning a trophy in his first season.

“There’s always pressure when you play for a big club. It’s normal," he admits.

As a leader, Luna understands the immense pressure to win a trophy, particularly given the club’s long wait.�

"We all know how long the fans have waited—almost eleven years. We are working hard to deliver for them and ourselves, as we are far from our families. It’s not easy, but we’re determined to make it happen,” he says.

Immense grassroots potential

Luna is equally impressed with the local talent at Kerala Blasters, particularly the young Malayali players emerging from the academy.

“They are great players and even better human beings,” he smiles.

“Their development over the past few years has been remarkable, and I believe they have a bright future, possibly even on the national team.”

Reflecting on Indian football’s potential, Luna is optimistic.

“India has huge potential, with 1.4 billion people. If the right steps are taken to develop players from a young age, the future is promising. The league itself is growing, and I’m proud to be a part of that growth,” Luna adds.

With Michael Stahre now at the helm, Luna acknowledged the shift in playing style but expressed confidence in the team’s direction.

“Michael likes a more direct style of football, pressing higher. Ivan Vukomanović had us keeping the ball more, but both approaches are good. We’re happy with Michael, and we’re working to implement his ideas on the pitch.”

'We're determined'

The team has faced scrutiny at times, particularly regarding the team’s mentality.

Luna disagrees when asked about a fan’s question during a preseason meetup about the players not showing the same mentality as Bangalore FC.

“I think that question is unfair. Even if you’re playing with your friends, you will want to win, right? This is our job. We are making huge sacrifices to be here. Sometimes things go your way, and sometimes they don’t, but the mentality and energy are there," he asserts.

As the captain, he defends his team.

"My teammates and I are doing our best to deliver what the fans want. We need harmony between the fans and us so everyone can push in the same direction. If we are divided, it’s very difficult to achieve our goals.”

Kerala Blasters are preparing for the upcoming derby against Bengaluru FC,� “After what happened in the past, it’s a different kind of game. We need to collect points, but this game is crucial for our fans. We’re focused and determined,” Luna emphasizes the importance of the match.

As the conversation drew to a close, Luna reflected on one of his favorite moments at the club—the goal against Jamshedpur, which he described as a 'great team goal.'�

“Thank you for always supporting us. We are doing everything we can to make you proud. Don’t stop believing—we need you," the Kerala Blasters captain signed off with a smile.

Adrian Luna’s journey with Kerala Blasters is far from over.

As he continues to give his all for the club, one thing is clear: Kerala is his home, and the fans are his family.