Calcutta: Nongdamba Naorem still has more than a fair distance to travel should he go on to be the most talked about name in Indian football.

For the moment, though, his goal in Indian Arrows' 3-0 thrashing of Lajong FC on Tuesday is the talk of the ongoing I-League. Why? Because the strike was Lionel Messi like.

"Of course, you feel proud if you hear your name alongside that of Messi. It's such an honour for me that this goal is compared with the ones Messi scores," Naorem said after his arrival in the city on Wednesday.

The Arrows next face Mohun Bagan in Friday's I-League encounter at the Bagan ground.

Reflecting on the goal, Naorem said: "I never really thought I could score such a goal. It has definitely boosted my self-belief and confidence, while our team is also far more confident now.

"I've seen the video footage of that goal a number of times. Well and truly, it's a dream come true for me to have scored in such a way. In fact, I myself was in disbelief initially."

"I got a lot of text messages after the game, one of which was from Gouramangi Singh... Really encouraging when someone who has played for India wishes you..."

He added: "I had scored in similar fashion when I was at the Minerva Academy. But this goal is really special because it's come in the I-League."