Despite India’s passion for football and the growing football infrastructure in India there are hardly any ripples in the international media about our footballers. The coverage of Indian athletes in the global mainstream media follows cricket players, and to some extent field hockey players.
However, just because there is a lack of coverage doesn’t mean Indian and Indian origin players are not playing some great footy for international clubs. We bet you don’t know all the players on this list but many are recognized as serious players taking headlines across Europe, and even in Australia.
The best part is we have a couple of lads training for Liverpool and Real Madrid, which means India has a solid, future investment in the world of club football abroad.
24- year-old Aditi Singh Chauhan became the first Indian woman footballer to be signed by a top English club. Aditi’s achievement came into the spotlight when she helped India win the South Asian Football Federation Cup in 2013. The goal-keeper’s football ambitions were cemented when her coach urged her to participate in the Under-19 Delhi Team Trials. In 2015, Aditi Chauhan, was the first Asian Woman Footballer of the year in England.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, is known as the first Indian citizen to play for a top division club in Europe. Sandhu is considered a steady goalkeeper for the Norwegian club Stabaek. After his debut for the club a local newspaper supposedly printed the headline,“Big Indian, Big hands”, in reference to Sandhu’s positive performance.
In 2013, British-Indian, Tanvie Hans began her two season stint playing for Tottenham Hotspur Ladies. She currently plays on Fulham Ladies first team, and has a wicked left foot just outside the box. Fun fact: Tanvie Hans was the poster girl for The Bend It Like Beckham musical.
This American-Indian was signed by Real Madrid in 2013 at 13 years of age. Now the sure footed 16 year old continues to train a Madrid’s ‘La Fabrica’ and attends the same school as Ronaldo’s kids.
The 23-year-old kicked off (excuse the terrible pun) his initial football career at Wallsall FC and progressed through their youth program before he earned his first professional contract 6 years back. In 2014, Benning received the Young Player of the Year award at Walsall’s award ceremony. Benning now plays for the League Two side, Mansfield Town.
The part desi defender for Australia’s national squad, Rhys Williams, has also played for English Premier League club Middlesbrough. He has recently returned to Australia to play for Perth Glory.
The Welsh-Indian defender is a force to be reckon with, a starting player for both Swansea and the Welsh national team.
Harmeet Singh, otherwise known as “The Norwegian Iniesta”, is a Norwegian international footballer and player for Norwegian side Molde FK.
Luciano Narsingh is a Dutch footballer with Indian heritage. He currently plays for PSV Eindhoven and the Dutch national team.
This 17 year old is the first player of Indian origin to sign a contract with English heavyweights Liverpool. According to The Telegraph he was picked up for 200,000 pounds from West Brom. Also, the young man can boot quite the deadly free kick.
Bisewar, of Indian heritage, plays for in the Greek Superleague PAOK Thessaloniki.