Top 10 Football Players of All Time in India (May 2024)
Football goes beyond being just a sport; it is a worldwide phenomenon and arguably the most popular sport globally. The players in this realm are revered as icons. Stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, along with rising talents such as Kylian Mbappé, are among the most celebrated personalities on the planet.
Every four years, football events like the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro, and Copa America capture the attention of audiences everywhere. In India, the sport also has a substantial following. Prestigious tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and La Liga attract numerous viewers from the Indian subcontinent.
Best Football Players in India
1- Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri stands out as the most renowned footballer in India. Often hailed as the greatest Indian football player ever, Chhetri has had a highly successful career with the Indian national team. He holds the record for the most goals scored in the history of the Indian national team, netting 85 goals in 133 matches.
As the Indian team captain, Chhetri is currently the third-highest active international goal scorer, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Impressively, his goal-scoring ratio of 0.64 goals per game surpasses those of both Messi and Ronaldo.
Chhetri’s career began at the Tata Football Academy before he moved to Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan, where he spent two seasons. He then transferred to East Bengal, making nearly 150 appearances between 2002 and 2007. Chhetri also had a stint in Portugal with the B side of Sporting Club de Portugal, but injuries prevented him from making any appearances, leading to his return to India. Additionally, he played for Major League Soccer’s Kansas City Wizards.
Since 2013, the 38-year-old has been with Bengaluru FC, serving as their captain. Under his leadership, Bengaluru FC has won both the I-League and the Indian Super League. Chhetri has also played for Mumbai City FC and holds the record for being the second-highest goal scorer in the ISL with 56 goals in 135 appearances.
Chhetri’s contributions to Indian football have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Arjuna Award, the Padma Shri, and the Khel Ratna Award. His achievements firmly establish him as the best Indian footballer of all time.
2- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, often hailed as one of India’s finest goalkeepers, has achieved legendary status in Indian football. Standing at an impressive 198 centimeters, the Punjab-born footballer dominates the field not just with his height but with his remarkable agility and lightning-fast reflexes. These attributes make him one of the most formidable goalkeepers.
Sandhu boasts the record for the most clean sheets while representing India, with 25 to his name. His domestic performance is equally stellar, having secured the ISL Golden Glove Award in consecutive seasons (2018-19 and 2019-20).
Sandhu has also served as the captain of the Indian national team on several occasions. In his debut as captain, he led India to a 4-1 victory against Puerto Rico. Another notable achievement under his leadership was a goalless draw against the highly ranked Qatar team in 2019.
Notably, Sandhu holds the distinction of being the only Indian to have played in a UEFA Europa League match, appearing for Norwegian club Stabaek in 2016. His distinguished career underscores his status as one of India’s premier football players in 2024.
3- Bhaichung Bhutia
Bhaichung Bhutia is widely regarded as one of India’s finest footballers, achieving significant fame throughout his career. Known as the ‘Sikkimese Sniper’ for his exceptional shooting ability, Bhutia was a trailblazer for Indian football on the international stage. He was among the first Indian players to sign with a European club, following Mohammed Salim as the second Indian to play professionally in Europe.
Bhutia’s journey began at the Tata Football Academy before he moved to Kolkata to join prominent national clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. He also played for Bury in England and Perak FA in Malaysia.
From 2003 to 2007, Bhutia captained the Indian National Team. Under his leadership and coach Stephen Constantine, the team reached its highest FIFA ranking of 98 in 2006, although they fell to 166 in 2007.
With 80 international caps, Bhutia ranks second in appearances for India, behind Sunil Chhetri. He is the third-highest goal scorer for the national team, with 29 goals, trailing only Chhetri and IM Vijayan. Bhutia also holds the distinction of being the second youngest player to score an international goal for India, achieving this feat at 18 years and 90 days old.
In recognition of his contributions, Bhutia has received the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri. His farewell match was played against Bayern Munich in 2012.
4- Sandesh Jhingan
A cornerstone of the Indian national football team, Sandesh Jhingan’s career gained significant momentum with his performance in the first season of the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2014. Playing for the Kerala Blasters, the young defender was instrumental in leading his team to the tournament’s final. Although they did not secure the title, Jhingan’s efforts earned him the Emerging Player of the Season award.
Over the years, Jhingan has occasionally captained the Indian national team. Notably, he led India to a historic goalless draw against a strong Chinese national team in 2018, marking the first time the Blue Tigers remained unbeaten on Chinese soil.
In the 2020-21 season, Jhingan was honored with the AIFF Men’s Player of the Year Award. He achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the sole Indian footballer to join a Croatian team, securing a one-year deal with Šibenik, a club in the Croatian First Football League. Given his pivotal role in the current Indian team, it is evident that Jhingan is considered one of the best Indian football players in 2024 and one of the finest in the nation’s history.
5- IM Vijayan
IM Vijayan stands out as a legendary figure in Indian football. Known as “Kalo Harin,” which means Black Buck in Bengali, the former striker earned the title of Indian Player of the Year in 1993, 1997, and 1999, becoming the first to win this award multiple times. He has been honored with the esteemed Arjuna Award as well.
Vijayan’s career began with Kerala Police, where he played for five years before transferring to Mohun Bagan. He also played for clubs such as JCT Mills Phagwara, East Bengal, and Churchill Brothers. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he formed a formidable attacking duo with Bhaichung Bhutia at both the club and national levels.
As captain of the Indian national team from 2000 to 2004, Vijayan scored 34 goals in 71 appearances, making him the second-highest goal-scorer for the team. He also holds the distinction of being the first Indian player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Currently, Vijayan contributes to the development of young talent as a member of the technical committee of the All India Football Federation and continues to support football growth in his hometown following his retirement.
6- Manvir Singh
Manvir Singh stands out as one of South Asia’s most prolific forwards in 2024, earning his spot among the top Indian football players. Over his nearly decade-long career in Indian football, Singh has consistently proven his scoring ability.
Singh’s career took off with F.C. Goa in the ISL, but his most impressive performances have been with Mohun Bagan S.G. Wearing the club’s iconic maroon-and-green jersey, he has played close to a hundred matches, scoring 21 goals. Singh was instrumental in Mohun Bagan’s victories in the ISL and the Durand Cup in 2023.
Hailing from Punjab, Singh has also made significant contributions to the Indian national team, earning 38 caps and netting seven goals. He played a crucial role in India’s triumphs in the Tri-Nation Series in both 2017 and 2023, as well as the SAFF Championships in 2021.
7- PK Banerjee
PK Banerjee stands as a revered figure in India’s football scene, having left an indelible mark as a former striker, captain, and coach of the national team. His illustrious career saw him participate in 45 international matches, netting 15 official goals.
Banerjee’s contributions were pivotal in securing the gold medal for the national team at the 1962 Asian Games and clinching the runners-up position at the AFC Asian Cup in 1964. As a manager, he guided the team to a bronze medal at the 1970 Asian Games, cementing his status as one of India’s most decorated footballers.
His accolades include being among the first recipients of the Arjuna Award, earning the title of Indian footballer of the 20th century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), and receiving the prestigious FIFA Order of Merit in 2004.
Additionally, Banerjee formed a formidable partnership with teammates Chuni Goswami and Tulsidas Balaram, collectively known as Indian football’s Holy Trinity, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.
8- Sailen Manna
Sailen Manna is renowned as one of the greatest defenders in Indian football history. His tenure with the national team spanned from 1948 to 1956, primarily in the role of a left-back. Notably, Manna led India in various international competitions, including the Olympics and the Asian Games, achieving the remarkable feat of winning the gold medal at the 1951 Asian Games.
His journey in football commenced with Howrah Union in 1940, but it was his move to Mohun Bagan in 1942 that marked the ascent of his career. Representing Mohun Bagan, a prestigious and long-standing club in India, for 19 consecutive years until his retirement in 1960, Manna also served as the club’s captain from 1950 to 1955.
Manna’s leadership prowess garnered widespread acclaim, earning him the distinction of being the sole Asian footballer listed among the top ten Captains worldwide by the English FA in 1953. Upon retiring from active play in 1960, he transitioned into coaching, leaving a lasting impact on Indian football. As a coach, he nurtured legendary players such as PK Banerjee, Tulsidas Balaram, Chuni Goswami, Jarnail Singh, and Peter Thangaraj.
9- Anwar Ali
Anwar Ali, still in his early twenties, has emerged as a pivotal figure within the Indian team. This prodigious talent marked his international debut under coach Igor Stimac during a friendly match against Belarus in 2023. Remarkably, within three months of his international career, he netted his inaugural international goal in an AFC Asian Cup qualification match against Hong Kong. Since then, his stature within the team has only soared.
In the domestic arena, Ali boasts stints with seven different clubs to date. Notably, he has featured in 30 matches for F.C. Goa in the ISL and made three appearances for Mohun Bagan S.G., wherein he scored a single goal.
Ali faced a significant setback when he was diagnosed with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a rare heart condition, in 2019. This condition thickens the heart muscle, impeding its ability to pump blood efficiently. Consequently, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) imposed a ban on his football activities. However, Ali later received a favorable ruling from the Delhi High Court, permitting him to resume his professional football career.
10- Pritam Kotal
Pritam Kotal, a seasoned defender from the outskirts of Kolkata, boasts extensive experience in the Indian football team. His international journey began in 2015 under the guidance of coach Stephen Constantine. Notably, Kotal played pivotal roles in India’s triumphs at the SAFF Championship in 2016 and 2023, as well as the Intercontinental Cup in 2018.
At the club level, Kotal has been a stalwart in the Mohun Bagan S.G. setup for nearly a decade. Despite this, he had stints with F.C. Pune City, Atletico de Kolkata, and Delhi Dynamos. Notably, Kotal played a significant part in Mohun Bagan’s historic I-League victory in 2015. Since 2016, he has been a cornerstone of Atletico de Kolkata (later ATK), clinching the ISL trophy twice (in 2016 and 2019-20).
The merger of ATK with Mohun Bagan in 2020 birthed ATK Mohun Bagan (now rebranded to Mohun Bagan S.G.) in the ISL, reinstating Kotal in the maroon-and-green jersey. This reunion led to Kotal securing his third ISL title, and Mohun Bagan’s inaugural one, in March 2023. However, ahead of the 2023-24 season, he was traded to the Kerala Blasters in exchange for Sahal Abdul Samad. With his wealth of experience and achievements, it’s undeniable that Kotal stands among the top Indian footballers in 2024.
Best Footballers in India FAQs
1- Who currently holds the title of the best Indian football player in 2024?
Sunil Chhetri stands out as the top Indian football player in 2024.
2- Who are the best goalkeepers in Indian football?
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is widely regarded as the premier goalkeeper in the annals of Indian football.
