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Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years, you would know that football in India is on the rise. There is a huge fan following for the sport in the country and there is a genuine will among youngsters to pick up the game professionally.
While the country has generally struggled to provide basic facilities to young footballers in the past, that trend is now changing thanks to the advent of cash-rich leagues such as the Indian Super League (ISL) and renewed interest in other domestic competitions.
Moreover, India's hosting of the FIFA U-17 World Cup late last year ensured that the nation is firmly on world football's radar as one of the next places to scout and that continues to be the driving force behind the success of many local footballers performing in the country.
With a number of young Indian players expected to move abroad in the coming years, we wanted to take a look back at the recent past to see just how many players have already made the move to a football-rich nation such as Spain. In the land of Ronaldo and Messi, a few Indian names have made their presence felt. So here are 5 Indian footballers who had (or are currently having) a stint in Spain:
#5 Ashique Kuruniyan
It is never easy for a young player growing up in humble surroundings to immediately adapt to life abroad, and the same could be said about young Ashique Kuruniyan after the Kerala player pursued a career in Spain with Villarreal "C".
The current FC Pune City winger enjoyed a loan spell at the club, which proved to be a huge learning curve in his fledgeling career. Literally starting from the bottom, Kuruniyan impressed coaches enough to be given the opportunity to hone his craft in one of football's most important countries and there is no doubt that this is an experience the Malyali player will never forget.
#4 Ishan Pandita
Ishan Pandita made headlines back in 2016 after the he was chosen to play in Spain with first division club CD Leganes, making him the first Indian player to do so. Albeit with the U-19 team, Pandita was given a unique opportunity to show his talent on a global stage after the youngster excelled in a grassroots programme.
Having his origins in Kashmir, Pandita played most of his football in Bengaluru and shone at the famous Manchester United Soccer Schools programme. A player with serious attacking instincts, Pandita now has dreams of playing football in Spain's elite league the La Liga, where he wishes to mix it up with the world's best footballers.
#3 Luv Kapoor
One of the more recent signings to Spain from India, Delhi-based U-19 footballer Luv Kapoor has secured a move to one of the country's oldest clubs, Palamos CF, who play in the fourth tier of Spanish football.
The fourth tier may not sound very attractive, but it makes Luv the first player to sign for a club at this level of senior competition, providing a lucrative opportunity to the teenager to hone his craft and show his skill. The Perfect Football Spanish Academy is the reason that Luv finds himself in this unique spot and it is now up to the young Indian player to prove why he deserves to be in this position.
#2 R Manikandan
One of the most remarkable and heart-warming stories in football comes from the Southern part of the country, where homeless teenager R Manikandan's love for all things football has earned him an opportunity to train with one of the biggest clubs in the world, Real Madrid.
The 14-year-old was literally picked up from the streets of Kollam, Kerala and given an opportunity by coaches to show his skill with a football in Chennai's Academy, where he impressed the powers-that-be. What ensued next was something the kid could never have expected. He is now being groomed into a future football star for the country. Yes, dreams do come true.
#1 Ishan Sah
Following in the footsteps of Luv Kapoor, another Indian player has caught the eye of fourth tier Spanish side Palamos CF. Ishan Sahi has been recently picked up by the club after being impressed by his skills, making him the first player from the state of Madhya Pradesh to secure a contract with a European club.
Sahi left his studies in class eleven after he decided to pursue his dream of being a professional football player, and it seems that his determination has finally paid off with a chance to prove himself under the bright lights of European football. Let's hope for great things from this youngster.
