Why did Ryan Williams choose to represent India? He answers

For Ryan Williams, the journey to becoming an India international was never simply about changing the name on the back of a shirt.

It took patience, paperwork and a willingness to navigate a process that often moved more slowly than he would have liked. But when the moment finally arrived, Williams needed barely four minutes to make his mark.

Making his competitive debut for India against Hong Kong in Kochi, the Bengaluru FC attacker scored in the fourth minute. Years of possibility, and months of waiting, suddenly became real.

“It happened so quickly that I don't think I really had time to think about it,” Williams tells The Bridge.

“Obviously, when you're making your competitive debut for India, there are nerves and excitement, and then to score so early is probably the best way you could imagine starting.”

The goal, he says, carried the weight of everything that had gone into reaching that point.

“There was obviously a huge sense of pride because I'd worked for a long time to get to that moment. To then score in front of the Indian fans and celebrate with my teammates was something I'll always remember,” he says.

And doing it in Kochi made the occasion even more memorable.

“I think once the goal went in, it was more just pure emotion. You realise that all the work that went into getting there has led to that moment. And doing it in Kochi, where the atmosphere is always incredible, made it even more special,” Williams recalls.

Now, another extraordinary chapter awaits.

On October 3, India will take on Brazil in Kolkata, the first senior meeting between the two nations on Indian soil. For Williams, it is an opportunity to measure himself and his teammates against one of the biggest names in world football.

‘You always want to test yourself against the best’

Brazil are five-time world champions, with a galaxy of stars including Vinicius Jr, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, Rodrygo and Bruno Guimaraes. Carlo Ancelotti will be in the opposition dugout. And for Indian football, the fixture offers a level of global visibility that few games can match.

Williams, however, does not want India to be consumed by the magnitude of the occasion.

“For me personally, it's an incredible opportunity. As a footballer, you always want to test yourself against the best, and Brazil are obviously one of the biggest teams in world football,” he says.

The fact that the match is taking place in India makes it particularly significant for him.

“To be able to do that in India, in front of Indian football fans, makes it even more special for me. But I think it's bigger than just the players. It gives Indian football a chance to be seen on a much bigger stage,” Williams says.

Williams hopes that visibility translates into something more lasting, particularly among young footballers watching from home.

“Having Brazil come here and play against us can create a lot of excitement and hopefully bring more people towards the game,” he says. “For the younger generation, especially, seeing a team like Brazil here can make them believe that these are the kind of games Indian football can be involved in.”

Against Brazil, Williams knows the temptation will be to focus on the difference in pedigree between the two sides.

He believes India should do the opposite.

“I don't think you can approach it with too much pressure,” Williams says. “They're the five-time world champions, so for us it's about going out there and enjoying the experience but also testing ourselves against players at that level.”

The physical preparation, he says, will not suddenly become radically different because the opposition is Brazil. The bigger challenge will be mental.

“Physically, you prepare in the same way you would for any important international game, but mentally I think it's important not to be scared of the occasion,” he explains.

That means remaining brave enough to play rather than simply survive.

“You have to be willing to try things, take players on, make decisions and see how you cope against that level of quality,” Williams says.

For him, the score-line will not be the only measure of success.

“Whatever the result is, there will be a lot that we can learn from the game,” he says. “It gives us an opportunity to understand where we are, where we need to improve and what the standards are at the highest level.”

A decision that grew with time

Williams’ decision to represent India was not triggered by one dramatic conversation or a single defining moment.

Instead, it developed gradually as his relationship with the country deepened.

“It wasn't really one particular moment where everything changed,” he says. “It was more of a natural progression as I spent more time in India and became more connected to the country and the football here.”

He had always known an Indian route was possible. He also knew it would not be easy.

There were times when the wait became frustrating, particularly when he could see the possibility of contributing to the national team but could not yet do so.

“Obviously, there were times when you would have liked things to move quicker, especially when you know you could potentially be helping the team, but you have to be patient with that process,” he says.

Patience, however, was easier when the motivation behind the decision was genuine.

“For me, the biggest thing was that I genuinely wanted to play for India,” Williams says. “There were no guarantees that it would happen, but I was willing to go through the process because it was something I was proud to do”.

More than a family connection

There was, of course, already a thread connecting Williams’ family to Indian football.

His grandfather, Lincoln Grostate, had played for Bombay during the Santosh Trophy era. That history made the decision more meaningful, but Williams is clear that he did not make the choice simply because of his family.

“That connection to India is obviously something that makes the decision even more meaningful for me,” he says. “Having that family history and knowing that my grandfather had a connection to Indian football gives me an added sense of pride.”

But the decision was ultimately personal.

“The more time I spent in India, the more I felt connected to the country and understood how much football means to people here,” Williams says. I also wanted to create my own connection with Indian football and hopefully contribute something to it."

Ask Williams what the India jersey means to him now, and his answer goes beyond football.

“It feels like something I'm extremely proud of,” he says.

For someone who spent years living in India before becoming eligible to represent the country, the shirt represents a relationship that developed over time.

“When I decided to play for India, it wasn't just a football decision for me. There is a genuine sense of pride attached to it,” Williams says.

His time in Bengaluru has played a significant role in that connection. “I've spent the last few years living in India, and I've really come to love the country, Bengaluru and the football culture here,” he says.

That is why putting on the India shirt feels different. “When I put on the India jersey, I feel like I'm representing something that means a lot to me,” Williams says.

But perhaps the most important part of his answer comes when he looks beyond his own career.

“For me, it's also about trying to help the next generation,” he says. “If I can show other players with similar backgrounds that it is possible to come here, represent India and play at this level, then that's something I'm really proud of.”

That desire to contribute also extends to Williams’ growing profile away from the football field.

In July, he became the first footballer to join JSW Sports’ elite talent roster. For Williams, the partnership is an opportunity not merely to build his own brand, but to use that growing platform to promote Indian football.

“I'm super, super happy and proud to have signed with JSW,” Williams says. “Being the first footballer on their roster is obviously a big opportunity, especially because they're such a big organisation and they're really good at what they do.”

The practical cost of choosing India

The decision was not without its practical complications.

Williams’ family understood that becoming an Indian citizen and pursuing international football would involve significant personal considerations.

“My family have obviously been very supportive throughout the process,” he says. “I think they understood that this was something that meant a lot to me and that it wasn't a decision I was taking lightly.”

The practical difficulties, however, never became the deciding factor.

“For me, there were always going to be practical considerations, but I never really looked at it purely from that perspective,” Williams says.

International football itself was one reason. But by then, his motivation had become much bigger than simply earning another cap.

“Every footballer wants to play international football because it's the pinnacle of the game, but beyond that, I had developed a genuine sense of pride in representing India,” he says.

And that is what ultimately made the sacrifices worthwhile.

“When you feel that strongly about something, the practical difficulties become easier to accept,” Williams concluded.