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The Indian Super League has arrived with its fair share of glitz and glamour and a plethora of international superstars who have put their faith in this ambitious project to revive Indian football and awaken the sleeping giant.But in the end, the success of a sporting event is not judged by its star power but rather by the quality of sport on offer.The Indian Super League has attracted enough world-class players to ensure top-notch quality of football. We look at 10 such Indian and international footballers to watch in the inaugural edition of the ISL.
#1 Alessandro Del Piero - Delhi Dynamos
He might be close to his forties and testing different waters at the fag end of his career, but Alessandro Del Piero is as hungry and eager as ever. He has already voiced his excitement at taking up this magnificent challenge of revolutionising Indian football and leaving an indelible mark on the country’s football culture.
A World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, Del Piero is considered to be a legend of the modern game, and his name in Pele’s elite FIFA 100 list bears strong testament to that fact.
Football fans in India’s capital would be itching to see the Juventus legend get started and Del Piero too would be yearning to enthral his fans by doing what he’s has done all his career – score a lot of goals.
#2 Subrata Pal - Mumbai City FC
Easily the most decorated Indian goalkeeper of all time, Subrata Pal is one of the very few lucky players plying their trade at a European club.
He is currently contracted with Danish top flight club FC Vestsjaelland but is yet to make a first team appearance for them. Pal made the world notice his astonishing reflexes and shot-stopping skills in the 2011 AFC Asia Cup, even though India conceded 13 goals in 3 games.
He has been India’s first-choice keeper for a long time and has already amassed 57 international appearances that include the tremendous victories at the 2009 and 2012 Nehru Cup and the 2011 SAFF Championship.
Indian football fans have been yearning to watch their hero in action once again, and Pal too will want to play regular football in India after a season away in Europe.
#3 David Trezeguet - Pune City
Even the most ardent of football fans might have forgotten David Trezeguet’s golden goal in the Euro 2000 final, but Trezeguet certainly won’t for the rest of this life.
That goal against Italy capped off an unbelievable two years for the French striker, starting off with an unlikely World Cup triumph at home in 1998.
Trezeguet’s phenomenal career stretched another 14 years since that victory against Italy, a majority of which was spent at Juventus. He steps on to Indian shores for one final hurrah and give the world one last opportunity to watch the French predator in action.
His invaluable experience and supreme tactical know-how will be prized assets for the Pune City team.
#4 Mehtab Hossain - Kerala Blasters
The highly rated holding midfielder reunites with former East Bengal manager Trevor Morgan at Kerala Blasters FC.
One of India’s most talented and dependable players, Mehtab Hossain has been regularly linked with a move away to Europe, and the 28-year old has undergone trials with several Scottish, English and Spanish clubs in the past.
Sometimes referred to as India’s Claude Makelele, he possesses every skill in the book of a defensive midfielder – great passing ability, a tireless work ethic and a ferocious tackle.
He has been plying his trade at East Bengal for the last seven years and would be hoping to catch the attention of ISL’s international audience.
#5 Robert Pires - FC Goa
If you’ve been watching English football for more than a decade, then you wouldn’t need an introduction to Robert Pires.
An intrinsic part of Arsenal’s Invincibles, Pires has won millions of hearts at every club he’s for played during his long career, be it Metz, Arsenal or Villarreal. Indian and international footballers in the FC Goa camp would feel privileged to share the dressing room with a member of France’s historic 1998 FIFA World Cup winning squad.
Pires’ biggest treasure would be his vast football knowledge and experience – two traits that his teammates would be hoping to get a share of in the next two months of the ISL.
#6 Jeje Lalpekhlua - Chennaiyin FC
If Indian football enthusiasts were to be reminded that Jeje Lalpekhlua is just 23 years old, most of them would be nonplussed. Such has been Jeje’s stellar rise up the football ladder.
Having signed for a newly formed Pune FC in 2007, Jeje then moved on to to form the core of the U-19 Pailan Arrows team before announcing himself on the international stage in 2011.
His chart-topping 4 goals in the qualification tournament assured India a place in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. He then played an integral role in India’s triumph at the 2011 SAFF Championship.
Jeje has been persistently touted as Baichung Bhutia’s successor. And after a relatively flat season with Dempo, he would be hoping to set the ISL stage on fire with his quick-feet and sharp finishing skills.
#7 Luis Garcia - Atletico de Kolkata
The huge Liverpool support base in India must be rooting for Atletico de Kolkata in this year’s ISL. Why? Because of Luis Garcia.
The Spanish forward is considered a legend in those parts of Merseyside, primarily due to his role in Liverpool’s astonishing victory in the 2005 Champions League final. The former Barcelona player came out of retirement to support another Atletico de Madrid’s (another former team) venture into Indian football.
Garcia, whose natural position is in the No.10 role, hung up his boots in January earlier this year after a glorious seventeen year long professional career. It will be interesting to see if he still possesses the uncanny trickery in and around the box.
But fans in the football-crazy city of Kolkata would be lining up to watch him in action nonetheless.
#8 Syed Rahim Nabi - Mumbai City
In an Indian national team consistently evolving over the last few years, Syed Rahim Nabi has been one of the very few constants.
Primarily a right-footed wing back, Nabi is a supremely versatile footballer and can easily adapt to different positions and playing roles. He has represented the national side as a left full-back under Wim Koevermans and has made the position his own with consistently solid displays.
Nabi, who played for Mohammedan Sporting in the I-League last season, has also been named the captain of Mumbai City FC. The Ranbir Kapoor-owned franchise will derive a lot of optimism from their hugely talented Indian roster led by this experienced journeyman.
#9 Nicolas Anelka - Mumbai City FC
One of the biggest attractions in the Indian Super League, Nicolas Anelka is undoubtedly the most glittering catch in this year’s international roster, considering the fact that all other marquee players and big names had either already hung up their boots or are in the twilight of their respective careers. It’s hard to fathom the fact that a player, who just a year ago was a first-team regular at West Bromwich Albion, has put his faith in the ISL project.
Anelka would be no stranger to international football fans as his long and illustrious career has taken him to clubs of the stature of Real Madrid, Juventus, Arsenal and Chelsea. At club level, he’s won every major trophy a player can dream of lifting in Europe. A former French international, Anelka’s signature has single-handedly raised the global profile of ISL and fans would inarguably be turning up in huge numbers just to catch of a glimpse of this international superstar.
#10 Lalrindika Ralte - Mumbai City FC
I have only seen him play twice. But I am thinking what a wonderful player he is! Hes got sprint, hes got a great left foot and he's got energy. He looks a decent player, were the encouraging words by Peter Reid when asked about this pint-sized East Bengal midfielder. Lalrindika Ralte, popularly known as Didika, is one of Indian footballs brightest young prospects.
The 22-year Mizoram born player has been rising through the ranks in the domestic setup and has already carved a space for himself at East Bengal and in the Indian national team. Ralte is adept at playing in the centre of the park as well as a left-sided midfielder and is well known in the domestic circuit for scoring long-range scorchers with his powerful left-foot. Mumbai City will be counting on the youngster to step up to the stage and make the Indian Super League his own.
