Top 10 Greatest Indian Football Players of All Time

Category | Football By Vinod Rajbhar May 21, 2025

[{"selector":"#anim-97aca7fc-36cf-4b10-bf2d-042a274e03ae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":700,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fea6f568-7f04-4946-a5b8-0ed389ed6614","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c798b35-1071-4f82-a495-842c0a220c3b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -2615.34258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a60686c-9ac9-4931-af3f-f73b833cdd29","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6d0dc3e9-a129-4d47-a4c2-54f1416e5b06","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -764.96712%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Mohammed Salim Mohammed Salim was an Indian Juggler and Footballer from Calcutta. He was also the part of British Raj at his time. He played as a Defender. 10

[{"selector":"#anim-b0e3d7e5-7ee2-4a27-a1df-cbe319ff04fe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":700,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-12551e11-4961-4f38-a7af-c5c587aa6ab6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8f141601-e471-4dac-accb-6c739bb81120","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -2615.34258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bdd781ed-c81a-42ba-8343-1e855e0570ff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ee55decd-0d46-463c-ad5c-dad644be9776","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -764.96712%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Sandesh Jhingh an Sandesh Jhinghan currently plays as the center-back for ATK Mohun club and has made more than 42 appearences. He was also honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2020. 9

[{"selector":"#anim-8a58716b-b124-459c-b91e-5f47507f0750 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":700,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-155a4297-fbf6-495d-bb8b-0ed35bc8cb3e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1fe71b9c-ac6a-4230-a18b-67696ad938d8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -2615.34258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-37863523-0ddf-4013-a6e2-b4487d75baea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b64b5e8a-0a35-4488-a74f-6e479b7dd2e7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -764.96712%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Tulsidas Balar am Tulsidas Balaram was the forward player in the West Bengal FC and was best known for playing forward in India. He has represented India 27 times. 8

[{"selector":"#anim-c0a669e8-af58-41f9-8cac-479bfb37d2c1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-1.0658141036401503e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":700,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-456d5929-1505-457a-8643-4b45ab6a27d4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63b18ba2-54db-4ebd-a3d2-b83ba7bde2e5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -2615.34258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-615b0b49-af79-457b-9958-379414eed602","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a7ca3b92-0c1f-43b0-b675-de55764402e5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -628.24496%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Gurpreet Singh Sandhu Gurpreet Singh Sandhu started his football career in 2009 and represents India in international games. He has served as a goalkeeper for Ben galuru FC and gave 50+ sppearences. 7

[{"selector":"#anim-98426561-3e44-4249-a77f-f2b027e22187 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":700,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c4f1e72-325b-4c79-9540-bac4baf6a2ac","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3ee2969b-d34e-4d5a-9d19-37b88a395f86","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -2615.34258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1646ed20-d3d2-4019-8cd7-da9c2ca1e4f6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b4dfa9f0-988b-431f-9026-3298a3cfacd5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -764.96712%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Sailen Manna Sailen Manna played from 1940 to 1960 for India. He is known as the best defender of all time in the Indian football history. He was the bes t captain in his prime. 6

[{"selector":"#anim-3244cdec-6711-42c2-9c2f-3ed16dde3226 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":700,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fb3c89bb-5701-4617-9fe1-607f470835a6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c027121-9d35-4955-85ec-8d3abf639af0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -2615.34258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ad30bcbe-b5bd-465d-8fab-5560991828b7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5626ce65-f716-446b-a13b-06b7d1aa9499","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -997.17858%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Jeje Lalpekhlu a Jeje Lalpekhlua has made his reputation as one of the best Indian footballer by being the second top scorer in the ISL history. 5

[{"selector":"#anim-7fcde54d-3ac4-457c-8e55-cb23122ea87e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":700,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4be23f6-31a3-4e4f-83a2-71933a63c795","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-15c2ab22-544f-4f32-a91d-47bbc3285bd4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -2615.34258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-01dd8d78-8d48-4622-8bfb-3471a1691f30","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d9b70582-1d88-4a6d-89b0-ce4feb9bed4d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -764.96712%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Bhaichung Bhutia Bhaichung Bhutia is a former striker player. He has represented Indian internationally and has played a total of 80 matches. He was nickname d "Sikkimese Sniper". 4

[{"selector":"#anim-f188957d-aa93-46cd-82fb-456984574b19 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":700,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5ab459e8-ad2f-4675-ba47-2d03a14b83bc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5350945-74e3-4ec0-aa79-e908d2443af9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -2615.34258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-475af077-8f6a-40cc-a9cf-b261d5ec1afd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-046feaa8-1359-4f47-8b08-7c2163ea2c00","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -764.96712%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Subatra Pal Subatra Pal gained popularity in Indian football fans from 2004 where he was featured in U-23 in pre-Olympic qualifiers and led the team to qualify for the group stages. 3

[{"selector":"#anim-d9b64904-d6f7-470a-bd5f-eb03f7038c40 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(1.0658141036401503e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":700,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2cbf2ed0-03bf-4b95-ae73-20c052167186","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b380ffea-f5a2-4b2a-b765-9684184c6741","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -2615.34258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-967f6a51-019f-4f56-9393-2c8c9c8ee3fa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a8d32761-252b-4baf-8188-3faaac0fd7e7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -764.96712%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] P.K. Banerjee P.K. Banerjee was a striker and he represented Indian Football team with 45 appearences. He recieve the Arjuna Award in 1991 and honoured with Pdma Shri also. 2

[{"selector":"#anim-aedb9fca-eca1-48c3-a5c7-0260810973d3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":700,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a7e9fbc-2386-4c20-934a-87af1ae84840","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-24d5754d-1507-483e-b12f-72946f75b913","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -2615.34258%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d9d669b-2035-4f0c-8b44-8e7343b19bfe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2d3093d9-99de-4dfb-beeb-366cfd962d63","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -774.37889%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Sunil Chhetri Sunil Chhetri is the top goal scorer in India. He is the captain of the Indian Football team in Indian Super League is one of the best footballer of all time. 1