Domi Berlanga’s football journey has taken him from Barcelona to India and back to European football, with every destination offering a different experience.
After spending a season with Inter Kashi, the Moroccan-born forward is now pursuing his European ambitions with Inter Club d’Escaldes, who have reached the league phase of the UEFA Conference League. The Andorran club created history by becoming the nation’s first to play in a European competition, and Berlanga is a proud part of that.
In an exclusive interview with MyKhel, Berlanga opened up about his time in India, the influence of Spanish coach Antonio López Habas, his preferred position, his decisive contributions in European qualifying and the lessons he has learnt throughout his career.
Domi Berlanga on India: ‘It Was a Beautiful Experience’
Berlanga’s stint with Inter Kashi during the 2024-25 season introduced him to a footballing culture unlike anything he had experienced previously. Having spent most of his life in Spain and played primarily in Europe, moving to India brought a significant change.
“The truth is, it was a beautiful experience,” Berlanga told MyKhel.
He admitted that adapting to India’s culture was initially a different experience, but one that ultimately left him with positive memories.
“The country and its culture were very different from anything I had experienced before. It was something of a culture shock because you usually move around Europe, and India was a completely different experience,” he said.
Asked about Indian football and the quality of the competition, Berlanga described his overall experience positively, highlighting how the opportunity helped him grow both personally and professionally.
Antonio López Habas and Indian Teammates Made Him Feel Welcome
The presence of familiar faces helped Berlanga settle at Inter Kashi. Working with Antonio López Habas, Carlos and the rest of the coaching staff made adapting to his new surroundings easier.
“The experience with Antonio, Carlos and the rest of the staff was incredible. They were great people, and the coach was very good,” he said.
Berlanga was equally appreciative of his Indian teammates, who welcomed him warmly during his spell at the club.
“My Indian teammates were also lovely. They welcomed me warmly, and I’m still in touch with them,” he revealed.
The relationships have endured beyond his time in India, making the experience particularly meaningful.
“It’s an experience I will always cherish, and something truly special that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” Berlanga added.
Inter Club d’Escaldes’ Conference League Dream
Berlanga is now part of Inter Club d’Escaldes’ European campaign, a historic achievement for the Andorran club after years of trying to reach this stage of continental competition.
“It’s a dream come true. We have achieved something historic for the club, for the country. We have been trying for years, and the truth is that this year it has come true.”
Berlanga played a key part in it, scoring two goals in the qualifiers, one against Estonian club FC Flora and another against Kosovo’s FC Dita. Despite the excitement, Berlanga insisted that his team wants to do more than simply enjoy the occasion.
“Our expectations are to compete and enjoy the experience, but above all, to compete. We think we can do a good job. We know that they are great clubs and that it will be difficult, but we really want to compete,” he explained.
Asked which fixture he was most excited about, Berlanga refuses to single out one opponent. He references Getafe, Copenhagen and Serbian side Red Star Belgrade as recognisable names but stresses that every match deserved the same enthusiasm.
“We have the same enthusiasm for Getafe as for Sweden this Thursday, as for Romania the week before,” he said, referring to the different opponents on the European schedule.
For Berlanga, the opportunity is proof that the club belongs at this level and has the ability to compete.
Right Wing Is His Favourite Position
Although Berlanga has played on the right, left and as a central forward, he knows where he feels most comfortable.
“My natural position, where I feel most comfortable, is on the right. That’s where I like to play the most,” he said.
He added that experience has made him comfortable in other attacking roles, giving his coaches flexibility when selecting the forward line.
Discussing the qualities he values in a winger, Berlanga highlighted the importance of taking on opponents and creating attacking opportunities.
“My strong point on the right is the one-on-one, to unbalance,” he explained, adding that he likes wide players who are willing to take defenders on and constantly try to make a difference.
European Goals and a Team-First Mentality
During the Conference League qualifying campaign, Berlanga scored against Flora Tallinn and Drita, contributions that helped Inter Club d’Escaldes pursue their European objective. Asked about his feelings after scoring, the forward emphasised the collective achievement rather than individual recognition.
“Personally, I am happy. But above all, it is about contributing, scoring and helping the team achieve its objective. If it is with a goal or an assist, I am very happy. But above all, it is for the team.”
From Morocco to Barcelona: Lessons Beyond Football
Born in Morocco, Berlanga moved to Spain when he was approximately one year old and grew up in Barcelona. Although he still has family in Morocco, he explains that his upbringing has largely been shaped by Spain. His experiences playing abroad have also taught him valuable lessons about life beyond the game.
“These are life experiences that you carry with you. They always make you grow and learn a lot,” he said, explaining that football is about more than training and competing at weekends. Especially in bad times, I think the most important thing is to keep your head cool and trust yourself. Always have a lot of personality.”
Berlanga’s journey from India to the European stage reflects his willingness to embrace new challenges. From Inter Kashi days to now at Inter, Berlanga has continued to grow and hopes to continue that in the coming days.
