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In a country where cricket reigns in popularity football is steadily gaining much fame. The game of football is creating its own mark in India and is fostering a growing array of ardent fans and passionate and talented football players. The best Indian football players are known as a beacon of talent, skill, passion, dedication and hard work. Their skillful prowess has made an elaborate contribution to Indian football and made the Indian football team to earn awards and win numerous tournaments. The Indian football players are credited not just for their skills but also for serving as inspirations for shaping India’s future in the football world. Let’s plunge into the bio and achievements of some of these champion Indian football players illuminating their influence on the football field in 2023.
List of Famous Indian Footballers For 2025
1. Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri is accounted among the most famous Indian football players. He serves as the captain of the Indian football team and Bengaluru FC team in the Indian Super League. During the 2019 Asian Cup, he is accounted for having scored twice in the opening match against Thailand leading India to a 4-1 victory. Sunil Chhetri has also emerged as India’s top scorer with a tally of 67 goals for the national team in his account. He also holds the record for being the most-capped player in Indian football history.
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2. Sandesh Jhingan
Sandesh Jhingan is amongst the famous football players in India. He has served as captain of Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League and also the Indian football team. In the ISL and Indian national team, he serves as defending player. Jhingan was born in 1993 in Chandigarh where he got his football training at St. Stephen’s Academy. During his training session, he got to play in the Southeast Asian finals of the Manchester United Premier Cup. He has also represented the Chandigarh team at under-19 level and led the team to win the B.C Roy trophy. In the Intercontinental Cup held in 2018, Jhingan played against Kenya and was also honoured with the Hero of the Match award.
3. Anwar Ali
Anwar Ali is among the youngest football players representing the Indian football team. He made his first international debut under the guidance of national football team coach Igor Stimac in a friendly match against Belarus on March 23, 2023. He went ahead to score his first international goal on June 14 against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup qualification match in 2023. At the national level, he is accounted as the best Indian football player having played seven different club matches so far. He also has been part of 30 matches in ISL representing Goa FC. He also scored a solitary goal in India’s top-division tournament match.
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4. Subrata Pal
Subrata Pal is a well-known name amongst the top-notch Indian football players list. He has played in the under-23 pre-Olympic qualifiers and has led the Indian team to advance to the group stages of the match. He also has played for ATK Mohun Bagan in the ISL matches and is represented as a goalkeeper. He was born in 1986 in West Bengal and graduated from Tata Football Academy. He played for East Bengal in the I-League in which he earned the best goalkeeper award in 2007. In the AFC Cup, he appeared 31 times in the league matches for East Bengal. He later joined Pune FC in the I-League 2009-2010. In 2012 he played for Prayag United and also represented IMG Reliance in the Indian Super League. He also played for Rangdajeied United in I-League in 2013 and in 2014 he played for FC Vestsjaelland. In the ISL he has represented Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United and Jamshedpur. Pal also won the Golden Glove Award in the ISL. He has represented the Indian team in Nehru Cup 2007. AFC Challenge Cup and the prestigious World Cup Qualifiers.
5. Telem Jackichand Singh
Telem Jackichand Singh is known as the best Indian football player who was born in 1992. He plays as a winger for Mumbai City FC in the ISL. In 2021 his contributions in the cricket world were recognized. He earlier played for Kerala Blasters but later moved to Goa FC where he found that the football style of Sergio Lobero suited his taste. He also represented the Indian team in the Asian Cup.
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6. Pronay Halder
Pronay Halder is listed among the most famous Indian football players who are acclaimed for their skills. He was born in 1993 in Baraackpore, West Bengal and graduated from Tata Football Academy in 2010. He played for Jamshedpur in ISL. Halder is known for his attacking and defending skills from midfield. He showcased his versatile play during ISL 2016 season where he played for Mumbai City FC. He while serving as an excellent player also serves as a role model for young football players.
7. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is among the top famous football players in India. He serves as an Indian goalkeeper for the Indian national football team while also representing Bengaluru FC in ISL. Being 198 centimetres tall he serves as a massive guard between the posts. Sandhu’s agility blended with his fast reflexes contribute to his excellent gameplay. Sandhu holds records for having 24 clean sheets against Lebanon in the finals of the 2023 SAFE Championship. Sandhu is the recipient of the ISL Golden Glove Award for his two back-to-back records is exemplary play displayed in the 2018-19 and 2019-2020 seasons. Sandhu also served as captain of the Indian national football team where he led the team to a 4-1 victory against Puerto Rico in the first match under his captaincy. He also led the Indian team to score a record of an impressive goalless draw against the Qatar team in 2019. Sandhu also holds the record of being the only Indian footballer to feature in a UEFA Europa League match in which he represented Norwegian side Stabaek in 2016.
8. Pritam Kotal
Pritam Kotal is listed amongst the most well-reputed Indian football players. Hailing from Kolkata this veteran player served as a defender for the Indian national team in international and domestic matches. Kotal made his debut for the Indian national football team in 2015 under the guidance of coach Stephen Constantine. Kotal also won the SAFF championship in 2016 and 2023 and he also won the Intercontinental Cup in 2018. Kotal alo represented Mohun Bagan camp, Pune FC, Atletico de Kolkata and Delhi Dynamos in ISL. Kotal also helped Mohun Bagan to win their first I-Legue title in 2015 and in 2016 helped Atletico de Kolkata to win the match. He again helped Atletico de Kolkata to lift the ISL trophy in the 2019-2020 season. In March 2023 he again helped Mohun Bagan to claim victory in ISL.
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9. Bhaichung Bhutia
Bhaichung Bhutia is a former striker of the Indian national football team. He is accounted among the best Indian football players. He has played 80 football matches so far. Bhutia is well known for his exceptional shooting skills and also helped the Indian football team to gain international recognition. Baichung is remembered for his record of 42 successful goals.
10. Dheeraj Singh
Dheeraj Singh is known as one of the youngest and most famous football players in India. He served as a goalkeeper for Goa FC in ISL. He gained the limelight for his exceptional goalkeeping performance during the 2017 FIFA Under 17 World Cup held in India. He was born in 2000 in Moirang, Manipur. After the World Cup tournament, he played for Indian Arrows an All India football federation-owned team. He also represented Kerala Blasters, ATK and ATK Mohun Bagan in the ISL. Dheeraj also made two appearances in Goa’s 01 Durand Cup winning campaign. Dheeraj also served as a goalkeeper for India U23 in the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers match.
Indian football has come a long way. The Indian football team houses the best Indian football players who are exceptionally skilled and talented. Did you find our list of Indian football players useful? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
