Five greatest footballers in Indian football history

India’s football journey has always been overshadowed by cricket and hockey’s dominance but has still produced some of the remarkable talents who have gone on to elevate the nation’s standing in the global game played by over 200 countries. The players have transcended generations, carrying the sport through its highs and lows while inspiring the generation of players to dream beyond boundaries. Some of these players have extended beyond statistics and redefined what is possible for Indian footballers despite the limited support.

These players have inspired the generations to take up the sport despite having been rewarded very little. From the golden era of the 1950s-60s when India competed at the Olympics to the current day of qualification struggles for the FIFA World Cup, these legends have shouldered the hopes of a billion people. 

Here are the five greatest footballers in Indian football history:  

1) Sunil Chhetri

India’s current-day talisman, the captain, leader, and legend, Sunil Chettri has featured for India over two decades, standing as the country’s greatest modern footballer. With over 90 international goals for the country, he ranks among active players behind Ronaldo and Messi. He is known for his remarkable consistency and longevity. 

Chettri’s technical prowess, finishing ability, and those finest headers put the country and the clubs he played into a powerhouse category. His professional stints abroad with Kansas City Wizards and Sporting Lisbon broke the traditional barriers for Indian players. What makes him stand out is his attitude towards the game, demanding the highest standards for the players and also asking fans to fill the stadium. Even at the fag end of his career, he remains the country’s most reliable performer on the big stage. 

2) Bhaichung Bhutia

Famously known as ‘Sikkimese Sniper”, Bhaichung Bhutia revolutionized Indian football by becoming the country’s first crossover star. His historic signing with Bury FC in 1999 shattered the glass ceiling for the countrymen who looked forward to playing in Europe. His ball control, clinical finishing, and leadership guided both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan to numerous trophies while earning three AIFF Player of the Year awards. 

As the skipper of the Indian team, he helped the side to win the SAFF Championship titles with the historic 2008 AFC Challenge Cup victory that qualified India for the Asian Cup after two decades. His greatest contribution remains his pioneering football academy and advocacy that helped modernize Indian football infrastructure. His celebrity status brought unprecedented media attention to the sport, inspiring a generation of players including Chhetri himself to pursue professional football careers.

3) Inivalappil Mani Vijayan

Simply known as IM Vijayan aka “Black Pearl”, Vijayan’s journey transcends from selling soda bottles at stadiums to becoming India’s most naturally gifted footballer. While he lacked formal training, he had extraordinary ball control, explosive acceleration, and unpredictable creativity which made him unplayable during his prime. A three-time AIFF Player of the Year, Vijayan formed a legendary strike partnership with Bhutia that defined an era of Indian football. 

Vijayan's record for a 12-second goal against Bhutan remains the fastest in international football history. His electric performances for Kerala Police, Mohun Bagan, and East Bengal transcended club rivalries, getting universal admiration across the fractured landscape of Indian football. Vijayan’s greatest legacy is proving that world-class talent can emerge from anywhere in India, inspiring countless youngsters from humble backgrounds.

4) P.K. Banerjee

The cornerstone of India's golden generation, P.K. Banerjee represented India when the country genuinely competed on the world stage. A dynamic right-winger blessed with extraordinary vision and technique, Banerjee starred in India's semi-final run at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and scored in their 1962 Asian Games gold medal triumph. His legendary status was cemented when he netted against France during India's 1948 London Olympics campaign. 

Beyond his playing achievements, Banerjee's greatest contribution came as India's most successful coach, introducing modern tactical innovations while guiding the national team to bronze at the 1970 Asian Games. His remarkable 23-year coaching career with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan revolutionized training methodologies in Indian football. Until his passing in 2020, Banerjee remained the philosophical voice of Indian football, bridging the gap between its glorious past and challenging present.

5) Subrata Paul

Nicknamed "Spiderman" after his heroic performance against South Korea in the 2011 Asian Cup, Subrata Paul redefined goalkeeping standards in Indian football. His spectacular reflexes, positioning intelligence, and incredible shot-stopping abilities earned him trials at German giants RB Leipzig and stints abroad with Danish club Vestsjaelland. Paul's finest hour came during the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup triumph, where his decisive penalty shootout saves secured India's Asian Cup qualification after 27 years. 

Despite facing relentless pressure behind often-outmatched defenses, Paul's consistency and leadership steadied the national team through transitional periods. His professionalism raised the bar for Indian goalkeepers, introducing modern training techniques and fitness standards previously unseen in Indian football. Beyond statistics, Paul left a long-standing legacy while demonstrating that Indian goalkeepers could perform at international standards, opening doors for successors like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to pursue European opportunities.