Football is gaining fame in India, with more and more youngsters attracted to the game bringing mental and physical well-being. While cricket has its respective fan base in India, football is progressing with its fan community. Soccer in western countries and football in India is a fantastic game that teaches leadership skills. So, do you know about the famous football players in India?
Many people are still not aware that Indian football has given some top-notch players to the world. All-Indian Football Federation further governs Indian football. Let us get you the best details about the top 10 famous Indian top football players to know more about their hard work and dedication.
Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri was born on 3rd August 1984 in Secunderabad, India. His height is 5 feet 7 inches or 1.71 meters, and he plays as a Winger or Striker. He is the Indian football team captain.
He is popularly known as “Captain Fantastic.” He has scored the second-highest number of goals in international matches after Cristiano Ronaldo in international male players. He is further awarded as the all-time top goalscorer with 72 goals in 115 appearances and the most-capped player of the Indian football team. He is named as an “Asian Icon” by AFC.
He started his professional football career in 2002 at Mohun Bagan. He played his first international game for the Indian U-20 team in SAF games against the U-23 team of Pakistan. Sunil Chhetri becomes the only Indian footballer to grab a place in the top 10 footballers scoring maximum goals in international football.
Bhaichung Bhutia
Bhaichung Bhutia was born on 15th December 1976 in Tinkitam, Sikkim, India. His height is 5 feet 8 inches or 1.73 meters. He plays as a striker and is known as the sole torchbearer of Indian football on international platforms.
He is known as “Sikkimese Sniper” due to his striking skills. He was the first Indian footballer to sign a contract with the European club in 1999. He is the second-most capped player with 82 international caps in his kitty. He is the second youngest international goalscorer with his goal against Uzbekistan in the Nehru Cup of 1995. He has a football stadium named after him.
He is awarded Padma Shri and Arjuna Award. He founded Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) in Delhi in partnership with Nike and Carlos Queiroz. Being one of the best footballers in India, he retired from the Indian football team on 10th January 2012.
Pronay Halder
Pronay Halder was born on 25th February 1993 in Barrackpore, West Bengal, India. His height is 5 feet 11 inches or 1.80 meters. He plays as a defensive midfielder and has been the Indian National Football Team captain on multiple platforms.
He started his career at a very young age with Tata football academy in 2007 and graduated in 2010. He had played for the U-19 Indian football team in three matches against the Uzbekistan U-19 football team.
He has been a part of Pailan Arrows, Dempo, Mohun Bagan, Goa, Mumbai city, and ATK football clubs. He played four matches in AFC U-22 Asian Cup qualification in 2013 in Oman.
Udanta Singh
Udanta Singh Kumam was born on 14th June 1996 in Manipur, India. His height is 5 feet and 8.5 inches or 1.74 meters. He plays as a right-winger and one of the youngest Indian players to assist in the AFC competition.
He started his career at Tata football academy and excelled during the Darjeeling Gold Cup, I-League U-19 championship, and Saras Gold Cup. He has represented the state of Jharkhand in the National Games of India 2011. He was selected as a part of the “All Star” team in Nike All Asia Camp in Australia, representing India.
He was a famous golden-boot winner with nine goals during the I-League U-19 championship in 2014. He joined the India U-19 football team in 2013. He started all four matches in the AFC U-19 Championship qualification against the U-19 team of Turkmenistan.
Sandesh Jhingan
Sandesh Jhingan was born on 21st July 1993 in Chandigarh, India. His height is 6 feet 2 inches or 1.88 meters. He played as a center-back and had made his national debut in 2015.
He holds the records for most appearances for the Kerala Blasters. He was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2020. He has also won the AIFF emerging player of the year in 2014.
He received his football training at the St. Stephen’s academy and debuted for the national side in 2015. He was a catalyst in the Chandigarh state team to win the BC Roy Trophy at the U-19 level.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was born on 3rd February 1992 in Chamkaur Sahib, Punjab, India. His height is 6 feet 6 inches or 1.98 meters. He played as a goalkeeper and is one of the few players who had played professionally in Europe.
He was named the captain of the Indian national football team in 2016 for a friendly match against Puerto Rico, and his team emerged as a winner by 4-1. He was the first Indian to play a competitive game for the first team of the European club. He is also the first Indian to play in the UEFA Europa League.
Jackichand Singh
Telem Jackichand Singh was born on 17th March 1992 in Manipur, India. His height is 5 feet 4 inches or 1.67 meters. He played as a winger and scored the second-fastest goal in the ISL history against Atletico de Kolkata.
He made his professional debut for the Royal Wahingdoh in the I-League 2nd division in 2011 in the Federation Cup match against the Churchill Brothers. He made his senior national football team debut in 2015 against Nepal. He is a well-known high-performing substitute player.
He scored his first senior goal for India against the Puerto Rico team in 2016 at Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai, where his team won by 4-1. He has provided three-assist and helped India qualify for the third round of AFC Asia Cup Qualifiers in 2016 at Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium.
Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem
Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem was born on 4th July 2000 in Manipur, India. His height is 5 feet 11 inches or 1.80 meters. He plays as a goalkeeper and is well-known for signing a football sponsorship deal with PUMA.
He started his career at the AIFF Elite Academy and rose to fandom with the FIFA U-17 World cup in 2017. He was then selected to play for the Indian Arrows, i.e., an All-India Football Federation.
His techniques and skills are highly appreciated across the Indian football managers and players. He was the first choice goalkeeper in the FIFA U-17 World cup and played all three matches. His brilliant performance with the Kerala Blasters in the ISL Session of 2018-19 made him earn a spot as the first-choice goalkeeper in AFC U-23 championship qualifiers for the U-23 team.
Ashique Kuruniyan
Ashique Kuruniyan was born on 14th June 1997 in Malappuram, Kerala, India. His height is 5 feet 10.5 inches or 1.79 meters. He plays as a winger and gains popularity with his exceptional performance for FC Pune city.
He was born in an underprivileged family where he had to stop studying in the eighth standard. He used to help his father and play football in the evening. He was recognized by the Kerala Football Association started Vision India. He had completed his training in Spain.
He has represented India at the international under-20 level. He made his international debut in 2017 against the Chinese Taipeia as a second-half substitute. He has also represented India in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 held in the UAE.
Jeje Lalpekhlua
Jeje Lalpekhlua was born on 7th January 1991 in Hnahthial, Mizoram, India. His height is 5 feet 8 inches or 1.73 meters. He plays as a forward and is the second-highest Indian goal scorer in the ISL.
He was named the FPAI Football Player of the Year in 2015. Luckily, his family is a football fanatic with his father, uncle, and elder brother already playing football. He made it to the Mizoram U-19 team on his strong performance at the Wai Wai Cup.
He played his first international game in 2011 against the Myanmar U-23 team. He scored his first international goal in this game for a 2-1 victory. He debuted for the senior Indian National Football team in the AFC Challenge Cup qualification in 2012 against the Chinese Taipei and scored a great goal.
Wrapping Up:
The football fever is increasing, and with the insights into the best football players in India, many youngsters are going for football as a hobby. It is a game of leadership, sportsmanship, fun, and amazing ball skills. Many individual sports celebrities love football and consider it a great warm-up.
India is a talent-rich country with many best footballers rising from their skills and dedication. Whether it is Indian Super League or FIFA World Cup, the Indian football team has amazed the world with its potential.
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