Best Football Player in India: Top 5 Indian Footballers of All Time

Sunil Chhetri is commonly recognized as the best football player in India. He is the country's all-time leader in caps (157) and goals (95), and he finished as the fourth-highest international goalscorer in history. The other names usually placed in the top five are Bhaichung Bhutia, P.K. Banerjee, I.M. Vijayan and Sailen Manna.

Few debates in Indian sport are as lively as the one about the best Indian footballer of all time. Fans in Kolkata will argue for the legends of the 1950s and 1960s, supporters in Sikkim and Kerala speak just as proudly of Bhaichung Bhutia and I.M. Vijayan, and younger fans point to Sunil Chhetri's record numbers. This guide gives you a clear, fact-checked answer, explains how the top players compare, introduces other famous football players in India, and shows who stands out in the modern game as of October 2026.

India All-Time Greatest Team

Top 5 Indian Football Players of All Time

Ranking players from different eras is never exact, because football in the 1950s was played in very different conditions from today. The list below is based on international records, major honours, influence on the sport and the standing each player has in Indian football history. Treat it as an informed opinion, not an official ranking.

Who Is the Best Football Player in India? Sunil Chhetri

When people search for the best football player in India, the name that comes up most often is Sunil Chhetri, and the numbers back it up. He made his India debut against Pakistan in June 2005 and went on to play 157 matches for the national team, scoring 95 goals. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Ali Daei have scored more goals in men's international football, which makes Chhetri the fourth-highest scorer of all time.

His retirement story has had a few turns. He first announced that he would retire from international football in May 2024, and played his last match in that spell against Kuwait in Kolkata on 6 June 2024. In March 2025, the national coach at the time, Manolo Marquez, persuaded him to return to help India qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. India did not qualify, and in November 2025 Chhetri confirmed that his international career was over. He played six matches after his comeback and scored once, finishing with the 157-cap, 95-goal record.

At club level, Chhetri has spent most of his career in India. His best-known spell has been with Bengaluru FC, where he won the I-League, the Indian Super League, the Federation Cup, the Super Cup and the Durand Cup. He also had short spells abroad, including with Sporting Kansas City in the United States and with Sporting CP's reserve side in Portugal. In July 2026, Bengaluru FC confirmed that the 41-year-old had signed a one-year extension that keeps him at the club through the 2026-27 season.

Away from the pitch, Chhetri became the first footballer to receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honour. He has also been given the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri. Many fans also point out that he carried the sport in the country at a time when cricket dominated the headlines, urging people to come and watch the national team.

Sunil Chhetri: Key Facts

Bhaichung Bhutia: The Sikkimese Sniper

Before Chhetri, Bhaichung Bhutia was the face of Indian football. Born in Sikkim, he earned the nickname "Sikkimese Sniper" for his sharp finishing, and in the 1990s and early 2000s he was often the one player who made casual fans pay attention to the national team. He became India's youngest international goalscorer when he found the net at the age of 18.

His biggest breakthrough outside India came in 1999, when he joined Bury in England. That made him the first Indian footballer to sign for a European club, which opened the door in people's minds for others to follow. He also formed one of the most celebrated strike partnerships in Indian football with I.M. Vijayan. In recognition of his career, he received the Padma Shri in 2008, and he has remained active in football administration and in encouraging young players since retiring. He played around 80 times for India, though sources differ slightly on the exact number of caps and goals.

P.K. Banerjee: A Golden-Era Great

Pradip Kumar Banerjee, also known as P.K., was a forward and winger who played for India from the 1950s to the 1960s. He was part of the team that won gold at the 1962 Asian Games and captained India at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, where he scored in a 1-1 draw against France. He was among the first recipients of the Arjuna Award in 1961 and later received the Padma Shri in 1990.

His global recognition came in 2004, when FIFA gave him its Order of Merit, the highest award the governing body presents. He is often described as the only Asian footballer to receive it at that time. After retiring, Banerjee became a successful coach with clubs such as East Bengal and Mohun Bagan and with the national team. For many older fans, he remains the greatest Indian player of all, and the era in which he played, when India could compete with the best in Asia, is often called the golden age of Indian football.

I.M. Vijayan: The Black Pearl

Inivalappil Mani Vijayan, usually called I.M. Vijayan, is remembered for flair, pace and unpredictable skill. Fans in Kerala and across India nicknamed him the "Black Pearl", and some compared him with Pelé. He was named Indian Player of the Year three times, in 1993, 1997 and 1999, and received the Arjuna Award in 2003.

His best-known moment came in the 1999 South Asian Federation Games, when he scored against Bhutan after only around 12 seconds, one of the fastest goals ever recorded in international football. His partnership with Bhutia made India dangerous in the late 1990s. In 2025, Vijayan received the Padma Shri, a recognition that many supporters felt was long overdue. Sources give different goal and cap numbers for his India career, but all agree that he was one of the most naturally gifted strikers the country has produced.

Sailen Manna: The Captain of Asian Games Gold

Sailen Manna was a left-back and a leader. He joined Mohun Bagan in 1942, played for the club for many years and captained India when the team won gold at the first Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, beating Iran 1-0 in the final. He was also part of the India squad at the 1948 Olympics, where players famously took the field in bare feet, and he was known for his powerful free kicks and calm leadership.

In 1953, the English Football Association named him among the ten best captains in the world, an honour that remains rare for an Asian player. The AIFF later recognised him as its Footballer of the Millennium. Defenders do not always get the attention that strikers do, so his place in this list says a great deal about how highly he is regarded.

Famous Football Players in India: Other Legends

The top five is not the end of the story. Several other players belong in any list of famous football players in India, especially from the early decades of the national team.

Best Indian Football Players Today

With Chhetri having retired from international football, a new group of players now carries the national team. The most recent verified awards come from the All India Football Federation for the 2024-25 season, presented in May 2025. Mohun Bagan captain Subhasish Bose was named Men's Player of the Year after helping his club win both the ISL Shield and the ISL Cup. He was only the seventh defender to win the award, following Sandesh Jhingan in 2021.

If you want to know who the best Indian football player is right now, the answer depends on what you value. Chhetri remains the biggest name, but Bose has the most recent individual award from the national federation, Kaith is regarded as the best goalkeeper of his season, and Fernandes represents the younger generation. Check the latest AIFF announcements, because awards for later seasons may have been released after this page was updated.

How Strong Is Indian Football Today?

Any honest guide to Indian players should also describe the situation of the national team. India has long been called a sleeping giant of football because of its large population and passionate fans, but results have been mixed. In May 2024, India was ranked 121st in the world, and the team failed to reach the 2027 AFC Asian Cup after the final qualifying round in 2025. The Indian Super League, a growing club competition, has raised the standard and brought in coaches and players from abroad, but the national team still has work to do to return to the level of the 1950s and 1960s.

That context matters when comparing players. Chhetri's records came in an era when India was rebuilding, so his 95 goals are an individual achievement on top of a difficult team situation. The players from earlier generations played when the team was winning Asian Games gold, which gives their achievements a different kind of weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the best football player in India?

Sunil Chhetri is the most common answer, thanks to his 95 international goals and 157 caps. Fans of earlier eras often choose P.K. Banerjee, Bhaichung Bhutia or I.M. Vijayan.

Who has scored the most goals for India?

Sunil Chhetri, with 95 goals in international matches. He is also the country's most-capped player with 157 appearances.

Is Sunil Chhetri still playing?

He retired from international football in November 2025, but he remains a Bengaluru FC player, having signed a one-year extension in July 2026 that runs through the 2026-27 season.

Who was the first Indian footballer to play for a European club?

Bhaichung Bhutia, who joined Bury in England in 1999, is regarded as the first Indian to sign for a European club.

Who scored the fastest goal for India?

I.M. Vijayan scored against Bhutan after about 12 seconds at the 1999 South Asian Federation Games, one of the fastest goals in international football.

Who won the AIFF Men's Player of the Year award most recently?

The latest award confirmed for this guide is the 2024-25 season, which was won by Subhasish Bose of Mohun Bagan.

Which Indian footballer has received FIFA's highest honour?

P.K. Banerjee received the FIFA Order of Merit in 2004, the highest honour the governing body awards.

Conclusion

The title of best football player in India usually goes to Sunil Chhetri, whose goals and appearances set records that may stand for decades. But the full story includes the Asian Games heroes of the 1950s and 1960s, the glamour of Bhaichung Bhutia and I.M. Vijayan, and a new group of defenders, goalkeepers and midfielders who are now leading the national side.

Whichever player you prefer, the history shows how Indian football has moved through different eras, from Asian champions to a rebuilding team with a loyal fan base. If you enjoyed this guide, keep an eye on the AIFF's announcements for the next awards, because the next great name in Indian football may already be playing in the ISL or I-League today.

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