With Football becoming a trending sport in India, widely watched by the young generation, the Indian footballers also serve as an inspiration to many budding footballers.

Being a youth icon, Sunil Chhetri serves as a role model to the budding footballers of the country.

Sahal Abdul Samad: Football Players in India

Followings: Instagram 1.4M | Twitter 52 K

Sahal Abdul Samad, the Indian National Team Attacking midfielder, is well known for his flair, dribbling, and strategies. He was born in Al Ain, UAE, but was raised in Kerala. Sahal is known for playing for the Blasters from 2017 to 2023. He was successful with them in the ISL, and he made isl debut in 2017. His emerging skills led to national recognition. In 2018, he won the ISL emerging player of the season and AIFF emerging player of the year in 2018-19.

As of May 2025, he has played 124 matches in ISL, where he scored 12 goals and assisted in 13. He has also been part of the national team, where he represented India 35 times, scoring 3 goals. Sahal moved to Mohun Bagan SG in July 2023 with a 5-year contract, hoping to achieve better national titles and showcase his skills on a bigger stage.

Sandesh Jhingan: Famous football players in India

Followings: Instagram 700 K| Twitter 154.7 K

Sandesh Jhingan is one of the most famous football players in India, considering he has served as a captain of Kerala Blasters FC of the Indian Super League and the Indian football team. He plies his trade as a defender. He plays as a defender for the Indian Super League club Bengaluru and the Indian National Team.

Born on 21 July 1993 in Chandigarh, Jhingan got his football training at St. Stephen’s Academy. While his training was going on, he helped the side reach the South-East Asian finals of the Manchester United Premier Cup. He represented the Chandigarh state team at the under-19 level and won the B.C. Roy Trophy. In the Intercontinental cup 2018, Jhingan played a must-watch game against Kenya and was honored with the hero of the match award. Since then, he gained popularity and limelight.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu: Famous football players in India

Followings: Instagram 211 K| Twitter 70.2 K

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, born on 3 February 1992, is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Indian club Bengaluru FC and the Indian national team. He captained a friendly match between India and Puerto Rico on 3 September 2016, a match India won 4-1.

He is the first Indian player to play a competitive match for the first team of a top-division European club and also. Sandhu is the fifth Indian after Mohammed Salim, Baichung Bhutia, Sunil Chhetri, and Subrata Pal to play professionally in Europe.

His performances have earned him respect, popularity, and love. With climbing ladders towards a brighter career, he has put in superb displays. It is no wonder that Indian football is on an upward trajectory and Gurpreet has played his role in the ascent. He is one of the famous Indian football players.

Lallianzuala Chhangte: Famous football players in India

Followings: Instagram 1.2M

Lallianzuala Chhangte is one of the most talented and exciting footballers from India, a dynamic winger whose speed and goal-scoring adeptness are hard to match. After starting his professional career with DSK Shivajians, he gained recognition in the ISL with Delhi Dynamos, then went on with Chennaiyin FC and later Mumbai City FC, where he now serves as the captain, leading them to new heights.

By May 2025, Chhangte had racked up 48 goals and 205 appearances for various clubs, in addition to 41 caps for the Indian national football team, where he bagged 8 goals and 10 assists in the 2022-23 season. He received the "Hero of the League award for his exceptional performance throughout the season. In 2023, he garnered significant attention for India's feat in the Tri-Nation Cup, Intercontinental Cup, and the SAFF championship as well.

Anirudh Thapa: Indian Football Players

Followings: Instagram 600 K

Anirudh Thapa functions as an adaptable Indian midfielder recognized for his outstanding field perception, along with his strong defensive work and team leadership in games. Thapa began his football journey at the AIFF Elite Academy in Dehradun before he joined Chennaiyin FC to debut professionally during the 2016 season. He amassed more than 100 appearances during his seven-year career at Chennaiyin FC to help the team secure their 2017-18 ISL championship victory. He made a transfer to Mohun Bagan Super Giant in June 2023, where he plays a central role as their midfield leader.

Thapa became a member of the Indian national team in 2017 and has achieved 59 international appearances with 4 goals. In the 2019 AFC Asian Cup match against Thailand, Thapa scored to help India achieve their first tournament win in 55 years with a 4-1 victory. Throughout his career, Thapa has become one of the most experienced players who compete on the current Indian national team. For the years 2017 and 2019-2020, Thapa is the only player who claimed the AIFF Men’s Emerging Player of the Year award. The journey of Thapa demonstrates how his commitment has shaped Indian football on multiple levels.

Manvir Singh: Indian Famous Football Players

Followings: Instagram 500 K

The name of the Indian forward Manvir Singh strongly stands out as a well-known player because of his powerful game and versatile abilities, along with exceptional game achievements. His birth took place on November 6 in 199,5, in Duhre, Punjab, to Kuldip Singh, who played football for JCT FC and competed for Punjab in the Santosh Trophy. His professional career launched from Minerva Academy FC before he transitioned to Mohammedan SC and Southern Samity to compete in the I-League 2nd Division.

The year 2017 brought Manvir to FC Goa, which became his introduction to the Indian Super League (ISL). His time with the team resulted in multiple championships which including the 2019 Indian Super Cup and the 2019-20 ISL League Winners Shield.

As an Indian senior team member, Manvir entered international football during the year 2017. His national team appearance reached 44 matches with 7 goals by May 2025. India obtained their first competitive World Cup qualifier victory against Kuwait when Manvir scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 triumph on November 16, 2023.

Roshan Singh Naorem: Famous football player in India

Followings: Instagram 200K

The Indian footballer Naorem Roshan Singh demonstrates exceptional skills through his ambidextrous abilities and accurate set-piece execution. Naorem Roshan Singh entered the football scene at the AIFF Elite Academy during his developmental years before moving to Bengaluru FC in 2017. He made his professional debut for Bengaluru FC in 2019 following his loan period with Indian Arrows.

Naorem Roshan Singh established himself in the 2021-22 ISL season by producing 7 assists along with 1 goal in 17 matches, which led to his recognition as Emerging Player of the Season. The team regarded him as a crucial player because of his precise crosses and dual-footed free-kick execution.

The Indian national team welcomed Roshan to its ranks during the 2022 match against Bahrain, where he created an assist. He appeared in 10 matches for the Indian national team until March 2023.

Bengaluru FC demonstrated their belief in Roshan’s abilities by signing him to a new contract that runs until 2025-26.

Apuia (Lalengmawia Ralte): Indian Football players

Following: Instagram 300K

Apuia functions as an Indian midfielder who maintains control on the field through his ability to observe plays and his skill at playing various positions. The football player entered the sport through the AIFF Elite Academy before he joined Indian Arrows for his professional career in 2017, after his birth on October 17, 2000, in Aizawl, Mizoram.
Wikipedia

The football player made his mark in the Indian Super League (ISL) when he became NorthEast United FC captain and the league’s youngest player to achieve this position in 2020-21 before winning the Emerging Player of the Season honor. His notable performances led to a transfer to Mumbai City FC in 2021, where he played a key role in their ISL Shield triumph of 2022-23 and the subsequent ISL Cup victory of 2023-24. His three-season statistics include 81 appearances along with six goals, and two assists.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant welcomed Apuia through a five-year contract, which brought him together with Anirudh Thapa and Sahal Abdul Samad in their midfield team in June 2024.

Ashique Kuruniyan: Indian Famous football players

Followings: Instagram 400K

Ashique Kuruniyan gained the limelight after his excellent performance for FC Pune City. He plays as a winger for Indian Super League club ATK Mohun Bagan and the India national team. Kuruniyan played wonderfully in the Intercontinental Cup and earned International gaming experience. Ashique is one of the famous Indian football players.

Ashique attracted a maximum audience on the field with his efforts, even though his team lost. Despite not having a great body, Kuruniyan doesn’t hesitate to take on opponent defenders.

This is a complete list 20 most famous football players in India. Share the name of your favorite player with us in the comment box.

FAQs

1. Who is the most famous football player in India?

Sunil Chhetri is considered the most famous football player in India, serving as the captain of both the India national football team and the Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC.

2. Who is the first Indian player to play a competitive match for a top-division European club?

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is the first Indian player to play a competitive match for a top-division European club.

3. Who is known as the Sikkimese Sniper in Indian football?

Baichung Bhutia is nicknamed the Sikkimese Sniper due to his unique shooting skills in football.

4. Who is the captain of ATK Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League?

Subhsish Bose is the captain for ATK Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League.

5. Who is the goalkeeper for Goa in the Indian Super League?

Hrithik Tiwari currently plays as a goalkeeper for Goa in the Indian Super League.