The inspiration behind the Calcutta Football League (CFL) goal that has taken social media by storm is easily understandable when Saikat Sarkar, the architect of the wonder strike, says he is a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Saikat, playing for Aryan Club, scored from an acrobatic side volley from the edge of the 18-yard box during the Premier Division match against Calcutta Customs at the Amal Dutta Stadium in Dumdum on Tuesday. Videos of his super strike have been widely shared on social platforms while the Indian Football Association (IFA), which conducts the CFL, has sent clippings of it to Fifa for consideration for the global body’s best goal of the year award.

“I like to work on my game, I practise twice daily. I have been practising scoring goals like that for a long time. I want to surpass myself and play in the ISL or the I-League,” the 26-year-old said on Thursday.

“I am always positive. I think about giving my best when I am on the field. I back myself by watching motivational videos before games,” he added.

Saikat had been in an I-League team in the past. He was with Real Kashmir, but lack of playing opportunities forced him to return home and join Calcutta Customs. While the Customs stint didn’t work out well for him, he is currently happy at Aryan.

“My club backs me, there is no pressure,” Saikat said.

Saikat’s tryst with football started when was 14, under coach Biman Mondal at the Bally Protiva club. Now that he has managed to show his talent to the world, the winger hopes his future dreams will come true.

He also doesn’t shy away from revealing his preference. “I am an East Bengal fan, have always supported them. I would like to wear the red and yellow jersey someday,” Saikat said.

In the long run, Saikat wants to represent India and also dreams of sharing the dressing room with Sunil Chhetri. “My idols are Cristiano and Sunil Chhetri. I want to play with Chhetri, my dream is to play for India,” he says.

Saikat is ecstatic that his goal has been sent to Fifa as a nomination for the Puskas Award, which is given to the most beautiful goal of the calendar year. He is grateful to the IFA for that.

The Puskas Award — in honour of Ferenc Puskas, the legendary Hungary and Real Madrid forward of yesteryears — was established in 2009 by then Fifa president Sepp Blatter. The first-ever recipient of the award was none other than Cristiano, for his Champions League goal against Porto while playing for Manchester United.

The writer is an intern with The Telegraph