Top 10 Famous Football Players of India

Sure, football isn’t as popular as cricket in India right now, but things are changing super fast, and we have seen record-high viewership of football in the country. That’s only because some of our nation’s footballers have made it super big, and they even are recognized on the international stage. So, if you recently started watching and taking an interest in football, then you should definitely know about which are the top football players right here in India, correct? Well, that is precisely what we are up to today because here we will be taking a good look at the list of the top 10 famous football players of India. Alright, here we go now.

1. Sunil Chhetri

There is no way we would put this name other than the first spot on this list, right? Well, yes, Sunil Chhetri is a true icon of Indian football, recognized not just in India but worldwide. You know, as Bengaluru FC and the national team captain, he is India’s highest scorer with 94 international goals, following only Ronaldo, Messi, and Ali Daei in the global chart. Sunil Chhetri’s glorious career includes international stints like playing for Sporting CP in Portugal, and his accolades include Khel Ratna and Padma Shri, making him the most identified person in Indian football for over a decade now.

2. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

With a stunning height of 198 cm, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is a stronger defense for India at the goal on the football field. Like, apart from being the national record-holder, he is one of the few players worldwide who have made it to the UEFA Europa League, representing Stabaek FC the Norwegian club. Clean sheets and a fantastic goalie presence see Gurpreet getting two ISL Golden Glove trophies and confirming his place as the greatest goalkeeper in India.

3. Sandesh Jhingan

Sandesh Jhingan has the makings of India’s defensive powerhouse that no other player has ever had. Why do we say that though? Well, the birth of Jhingan in the inaugural ISL season already created talk of an excellent defender who is exceptionally fit and tough. Reputed to be able to tackle any top player, Jhingan landed a Croatian club Sibenik which is an international touch to his experience, you know? Through performances against such great teams like Qatar and China among others Jhingan has proved himself to be an asset in the defense of India, and his naming as AIFF Men’s Player of the Year in 2020-21 was a deserved reward, that’s what we are pretty certain of.

4. Anwar Ali

We know that the motivation stuff sounds kinda cliche today, but still, we’d say that Anwar Ali has proven to the world that if you are persistent, nothing can stop you. Like, he was initially diagnosed with a severe heart condition in 2019, and at that time, he was forced to withdraw from the sport, but after a court ruling, he came back stronger. In the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifier, he also scored his first international goal after a break. His impressive skills as a defender for clubs such as FC Goa and Mohun Bagan SG at just 22 years of age have made him a star in the world of Indian football, that’s for sure.

5. Lallianzuala Chhangte

You know, with blazing speed in the game, Lallianzuala Chhangte has been captivating the audiences of modern sports and has been dubbed the “Mizo Flash”. Sure though, his speed gave him an edge in the ISL 2017 when he outpaced even the global stars of soccer. Lallianzuala Chhangte’s capability of achieving goals in major tournaments like the SAFF Championship has been supported by his consistency in playing as a winger, with more than 33 international caps, can you even believe that?

6. Anirudh Thapa

Anirudh Thapa is crucial to India’s midfield because of the way he is able to see the game and deliver the ball accurately. Just so you know though, Thapa is a player that has been consistent since his debut in 2017 and he played a very important role in India’s victories at the SAFF Championship and Intercontinental Cup. For a long time, he has been a key creative player for his club Chennaiyin FC, which achieved an ISL title.

7. Pritam Kotal

Pritam Kotal’s qualifications and reliability make him one of the most authentic defenders in Indian football, that’s for sure. Since his debut in 2015, Kotal has been a vital part of the Indian defense and has contributed significantly to the club’s victories with ATK Mohun Bagan, bringing home both the I-League and ISL titles, remember that?

8. Bipin Singh Thounaojam

The phenomenal rise of Bipin Singh as an attacking winger has been astounding to witness such that it was no surprise that his introduction to the game was what helped the Mumbai City FC so much that they went on to claim the championship title in ISL 2020-21. And since then Bipin, who made his debut for India in 2021, has not disappointed, he is showing promise to be one of the key players in the Indian attack.

9. Udanta Singh Kumam

Another statement we’d like to make is that the most vital player who made a difference for India was Udanta Singh, from the number of international matches he played, which is above 40, it should be noted that his incredible ability to dismantle defenses was instrumental in both national and international competitions. Not just that though, his presence in Bengaluru FC, where he has been the main player for one of the best clubs in India is simply unimaginable and like the number of trophies he was able to win is huge.

10. Ashique Kuruniyan

In Indian football, Ashique Kuruniyan stands out as one of the rarest-of-the-rare players, who are versatile in their style of play, but why do we say that? He is a super-fast dribbler and he is an exceptional weapon, whether he is playing the part of a winger or playing as a front-line forward. Like, starting with FC Pune City and now playing for top ISL clubs like Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan SG, Ashique has been part of key victories including the 2023 ISL as well as the Durand Cup.

Conclusion

All in all, it wouldn’t be completely wrong if we say that Indian football is something that got a boost in popularity because of these top footballers in India. Take the example of Sunil Chhetri, he is literally one of the most influential sportspersons in the country right now.