Mohammed Salim

Mohammed Salim

Indian

Personal Information

Nationality Indian
Role Winger
Past Team(s)

Mohammed Salim: A Brief Biography

Mohammed Salim Biography


Mohammed Salim was an Indian professional footballer who is known for being the first Indian player to play for a European club, Celtic FC. He was born in 1904 in Calcutta, in the Bengal Presidency of British India. He died on 5th November 1980 in his hometown. He played as winger on the right side of the field.


In reference to Salim’s ability, the Scottish Daily Express said “Ten twinkling toes of Salim, Celtic FC’s player from India hypnotised the crowd at Parkhead last night in an Alliance game with Galston. He balances the ball on his big toe, lets it run down the scale to his little toe, twirls it, hops on foot around the defender, then flicks the ball to the center who has only to send it into goal. Three of Celtic’s seven goals last night came from his moves”.


Probably one of the greatest players in the history of Indian football, he remains an inconspicuous figure because of a discriminatory attitude towards traditional Muslims in Indian football at that time.


He was awarded the Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy State Award in 1976, which remains the only recognition that he was honoured upon.


Background


He never received formal academic training in football, he was succeeded with the help of his immense talent. A chemist and pharmacist by trade, he was drawn to football by Mohun Bagan’s success in IFA Shield in 1911. He started out with the Chittaranjan Club of Calcutta in 1926.


Debut


Since India was under the rule of the British, there was no formal Indian team as the AIFF was not formed until 1937.


Instead there was an All India XI team, that was under the jurisdiction of IFA. He made his debut for the All India XI team in 1936 against the Chinese Olympic side in a exhibition match, which was the first international game to be played in India.


The Indian team lost the match but Salim and the other forwards were praised by the Chinese officials.


Rise to Glory


He first tasted success with Mohammedan Sporting Club as he guided them to five league titles in succession from 1934-38.


However, he gained international reputation when his cousin, Hasheem who lived in England took him to Glasgow. Hasheem spoke to the Celtic manager Willie Maley.


The Celtic manager was amused at the thought of a bare-footed amateur from India competing against Scottish professional players, however he agreed to take him on trial.


Salim managed to astonish them with his impressive skill, and the Celtic officials decided to play him in the two upcoming friendly matches.


He made his debut against Hamilton Accies and helped Celtic win 5-1. He then played against Galston, guiding Celtic to a 7-1 win.


The next day, Salim was all over Scottish newspapers with positive appraisals. However, the fairy tale remained to be as Salim fell homesick and returned to India, despite the pleas of Celtic who were willing to play a charity match on his behalf.


Club Career

Salim played for Chittaranjan Football Club, Sporting Union, East Bengal, Aryans Club alongside Celtic and Mohammedan.

Retirement

Salim retired in 1938 after guiding Mohammedan Sporting to their fifth successive league title win.