FC Groningen Under-21 midfielder Noël Vogel shares his football journey, Naga roots, and dreams of playing in Europe.
KOHIMA — Netherlands football prospect Noël Vogel, an emerging talent in the youth ranks of FC Groningen, stated that his Naga roots remain an important part of his identity as he continues to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
In an interaction, the 18-year-old midfielder of FC Groningen, whose mother hails from Khensa village under Mokokchung district in Nagaland, spoke about his football journey, family support, ambitions, and connection with his maternal homeland.
"I started playing football when I was five years old at a local club called SV Beedo, where Arjen Robben also began his career," Vogel said. "When I was around 12 or 13, I was scouted by FC Groningen, and I have now been with the club for about five or six years. Currently, I play for the club's Under-21 team."
During the interview, Vogel also addressed social media posts that falsely claimed he had represented the Netherlands at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
"I don't know where that came from, but it's not true," he said, adding, "I'm still a youth player. The World Cup is for senior professional players, and I currently play for FC Groningen's Under-21 team."
Speaking about when football became more than just a hobby, Vogel said his childhood dream has only grown stronger with age.
He shared, "I've always enjoyed playing football, but as I got older, I realised I was getting closer to achieving my dream. Every day I work hard, trust in myself, and trust in God. I know I still have to work hard to achieve big things."
'Nagaland always feels like home'
Vogel, who has a brother and a twin sister, was born to a Dutch father and a mother from Khensa village. Despite being raised in the Netherlands, he said he feels completely at home whenever he visits Nagaland.
He commented, "I visit my family in Nagaland almost every year. I really enjoy being there. The people, the food, the culture – everything feels like home. I always feel welcomed whenever I come back."
Asked about his family's role in shaping his football career, Vogel credited both his parents for their support and said, "My parents have always been there for me. My father drove me to training every day, while my mother always made sure I had the right food to recover and prepare for training. Even after difficult matches, they encouraged me and gave positive feedback. They are like my second coaches."
Describing FC Groningen's youth system, Vogel noted that the club is recognised as one of the country's strongest academies for developing young footballers and said, "It's one of the best academies in the Netherlands. Every year, several youth players make their debut for the first team, so it's a great place for young players to develop."
Among his career highlights so far, Vogel recalled facing Dutch giants AFC Ajax in a cup competition and recently winning the national Under-21 championship with FC Groningen.
He said, "We played against AFC Ajax in a cup match, and although we lost, it was a great experience. More recently, about four weeks ago, we became Under-21 national champions, which was a very special moment."
Like many young athletes, Vogel has also faced setbacks. He shared, "Injuries were probably the biggest challenge. It was difficult watching my teammates train while I had to recover. But I always believed things would get better, and I came back stronger."
Looking ahead, Vogel pointed out that his immediate goal is to break into FC Groningen's senior team before aspiring to play in one of Europe's biggest leagues. He said, "My first goal is to play for Groningen's first team. After that, hopefully I can continue developing and maybe one day play for a club in Spain or England. That would be a dream."
For young footballers in Nagaland, Vogel encouraged them to enjoy the game while remaining disciplined. He advised, "Just go outside and play football with your friends. You can play anywhere – on the streets, on the sand, wherever you find space. Have fun, work hard, believe in yourself, stay dedicated, and keep God at the centre of what you do."
Expressing gratitude for the support he has received from people in Nagaland, Vogel said their encouragement motivates him to reach greater heights.
He shared, "I'm very thankful for all the messages and support. I hope people continue following my journey. I'll do my best to make them proud and hopefully become one of the first Naga footballers to perform at the highest level."
Vogel said he looks forward to strengthening his connection with Nagaland while continuing his football journey in the Netherlands.