Top 10 Best Indian Football Players

India’s football history is long and detailed because it was, at one time, the national sport.
The British soldiers introduced the sport to the Indians in the mid-19th century (which is the same case as that of cricket).
However, today, the world’s most popular sport is hardly cared for in India.
Only in some states like West Bengal, Goa, Kerala, and North-East India, football is as popular as or more popular than cricket.
The Indian Super League (ISL), a football league that has attracted substantial corporate funding and led to significant infrastructure improvements, gives us some hope.
While the ISL isn’t yet considered the best football league in the world, it has dramatically raised the profile of Indian football.
Grassroots-level measures should promote world-class schools and colleges to encourage more children to pursue a football career.
Potential soccer stars find their idols in legends like Bhaichung Bhutia, I. M Vijayan, Gostha Pal, and even Indian origin footballers like Sarpreet Singh, Yan Dhanda, etc.
But if you are curious to know about current football stars, based on goal statistics, here are the top 10 best Indian football players:

10. Manvir Singh

Manvir Singh is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Indian Super League club Mohun Bagan SG and the Indian national team.
Manvir made his debut for the India national team in 2017 and has since scored seven goals in 37 matches.
He was part of the India team that won the 2021 SAFF Championship, scoring three goals in the tournament.
He also scored a stunning goal against China in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, earning praise from fans and pundits.
Manvir Singh is considered one of the best Indian footballers because of his pace, power, finishing, and versatility.
He can play as a center-forward, a winger, or a midfielder, and has shown his ability to adapt to different systems and roles.

9. Lallianzuala Chhangte

Lallianzuala Chhangte is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Mumbai City FC and the India national team.
Chhangte made his debut for the India national team in 2015 and has since scored seven goals in 32 matches. He is the youngest Indian player to score a brace for the national team, which he achieved against Nepal in the 2015 SAFF Championship.
He also won the 2021 SAFF Championship with India, scoring three goals in the tournament.
Chhangte’s stellar performances have earned him recognition, and he was named the AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year for 2022-23, showcasing his impact on the field.
He has been a key player for both the national team and his club, with impressive statistics, including being the highest scorer among Indians in the Indian Super League 2022-23 season, with 10 goals and six assists in 22 appearances.
Chhangte’s consistency, skill, and goal-scoring ability have solidified his reputation as one of the best footballers in India.

8. Bipin Singh Thounaojam

Bipin Singh Thounaojam is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Mumbai City FC and the India national team.
Bipin Singh’s notable achievements include becoming the all-time joint top goalscorer for Mumbai City FC alongside Modou Sougou and signing a new four-year contract with the club in 2021, showcasing his value and contribution to the team.
He has made significant achievements in international football, including his performance in the Indian Super League and for the national team.
He is the youngest Indian player to score a brace for the national team, which he achieved against Nepal in the 2015 SAFF Championship. He also won the 2021 SAFF Championship with India, scoring three goals in the tournament.
Bipin Singh’s consistent performance and ability to deliver crucial goals have solidified his reputation as one of the best Indian footballers, and he continues to be a key player for both his club and the national team.

7. Udanta Singh Kumam

Udanta Singh has been considered one of the best due to his impressive performances in domestic and international football for a long time.
It’s because of his consistent contributions to the Indian national team and his success with Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.
Udanta made his debut for the India national team in 2016 and has since scored two goals in 47 matches. He is the youngest Indian player to score a brace for the national team, which he achieved against Nepal in the 2015 SAFF Championship. He also won the 2021 and 2023 SAFF Championship with India, scoring three goals in each tournament.
Despite facing some challenges, Udanta Singh has remained a key player for both his club and the national team, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport.

6. Anirudh Thapa

Anirudh Thapa made his debut for the India national team in 2017 and has since scored four goals in 53 matches. He is the youngest Indian player to score a brace for the national team, which he achieved against Nepal in the 2015 SAFF Championship. He also won the 2021 and 2023 SAFF Championship with India, scoring three goals in each tournament.
Thapa’s notable contributions to Indian football include his important role in the Indian national team’s victories in the Tri-Nation Series in 2017 and 2023, along with the Intercontinental Cup in 2018 and 2023.
He can play as a defensive midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, or an attacking midfielder, and has shown his ability to dictate the tempo and create chances for his team.

5. Rowllin Borges

Borges is currently a defensive midfielder in the Indian National Football Team and the ISL for Mumbai City FC.
He made his debut in 2011 when he signed up for the Sporting Clube de Goa against Prayag United in the I-League, and later joined the East Bengal Club in 2016.
At a football match in Goa, the coach of the Indian National Team, Stephen Constantine.
The Coach was too impressed that he decided to include Borges in the Indian national team.
His first iconic goal was in the SAFF Suzuki Cup 2015 against Nepal at Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, followed by the 2017 AFC Asian Cup qualification.
Borges had an active role in 12 out of 14 games for the Northeast United FC from 2016 to 19.
Rowlin Borges is also declared the AIFF Emerging Player 2016.

4. Pritam Kotal

Born in a small town in West Bengal, Pritam Kotal developed a strong passion for football from an early age, inspired by his family’s active involvement in the sport.
Pritam Kotal plays as a defender for ATK and the Indian national football team and is regarded as one of the most well-known Indian football players.
Kotal began his international football journey with the India U-19 team before joining the AIFF I-League in 2011. In 2013, he signed with Mohun Bagan, a move he considered a dream come true.
In 2014, Kotal also represented Pune FC in a match against Mumbai City. The same year, he played a key role for the India U-23 team at the Asian Games in South Korea and later participated in the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers held in Bangladesh.
Following his impressive performances at the club level, Kotal represented India in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, including the memorable victory over Nepal.

3. Sandesh Jhingan

Sandesh Jhingan served as the captain of Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL). He was named the ISL Emerging Player of the League during the inaugural 2014 season.
The Indian Super League provided Sandesh with a major platform to showcase his football talent and establish himself as one of India’s leading defenders. He made his international debut for the Indian national football team against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2014.
In 2017, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) appointed him captain of the Indian national team. Although he later left Kerala Blasters, he continued to enjoy a large fan following, particularly among football fans in South India.
Sandesh Jhingan also holds the record for the most appearances for Kerala Blasters and has consistently been recognized among India’s top football players. Despite suffering an ACL injury that ruled him out for an entire season, he continued as the club’s captain for the 2018–19 ISL season.
He was also an important member of the Indian national team during the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Qatar and Oman.

2. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is a professional Indian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL).
He began his professional career in 2010 after signing with East Bengal. Before making his senior international debut, Sandhu represented India at the U-19 and U-23 levels.
His senior debut for the Indian national football team came in 2011 in a 1–1 draw against Turkmenistan. In 2016, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was appointed captain of the Indian football team for the match against Puerto Rico, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Sandhu is regarded as the first Indian footballer to play in the UEFA Europa League. One of his most memorable performances came against Qatar, where he produced 11 outstanding saves to keep the match scoreless and deservedly earned the Man of the Match award.
Throughout his career, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has received several honors, including the IFA Shield, the Federation Cup in 2012, four consecutive Calcutta Football League titles, and the Arjuna Award in 2019.

1. Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players in Indian football history and remains among India’s most influential footballers in 2026.
Primarily playing as a center-forward, he has also been effective as a striker and winger throughout his career.
Born in 1984, Sunil Chhetri was introduced to football at an early age, as both of his parents were actively involved in the sport. He began his professional football career at the age of 17 after signing with Mohun Bagan.
Over the course of his international career, Chhetri has represented the Indian national football team in more than 150 international matches, becoming India’s all-time leading appearance maker and all-time leading goalscorer.
One of his earliest major achievements came during the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, where he played a crucial role in helping India qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in 27 years. He also played a key role in India’s victories at the 2007, 2009, and 2012 Nehru Cups, as well as the 2011 SAFF Championship.
Sunil Chhetri has received the AIFF Player of the Year award multiple times, reflecting his remarkable consistency and contribution to Indian football throughout his career.
As of 2026, Chhetri continues to play for Bengaluru FC. After initially announcing his international retirement in 2024, he returned to the Indian national team in 2025 and remains one of the country’s most respected footballers.

These top 10 best Indian football players have made a significant impact on the sport both nationally and internationally.
They have inspired many young football enthusiasts in India with their exceptional skills and determination.
Many fans still wonder why India is not in the FIFA World Cup, despite this growing talent pool.
Good news is that these footballers have brought pride and recognition to Indian football on a global stage, and we can expect many more talents to emerge.