We have seen numerous players throughout the course of the Indian Super League’s eight-year history who will always have a special place in our hearts. Fans of certain teams still miss them. There may not be a conclusion to the list. However, we’ll be listing the top 10 players in this post who have dominated the Indian Super League with their cunning and talent. Find the list of the top 10 ISL players of all time below.
10. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
When Bengaluru FC made their league debut in 2017–18, the custodian began practicing his craft in the ISL. Although Sandhu’s team finished first in the first season’s standings, they were defeated in the championship game by Chennaiyin FC. Sandhu won the most clean sheets (7) in the tournament, along with three other goalies, and his accomplishments helped us begin the list of the Top 10 ISL players of all time. He is currently up against competition in the Indian Super League from young goalies who are becoming successful. But Bengaluru FC can largely rely on the 30-year-old when it comes to backline leadership.
9. Sandesh Jhingan
Since he turned 21 in 2014, Jhingan has participated in the Indian Super League. He played with Kerala Blasters through the 2019–20 season, where he was a pillar of defense. Jhingan joined ATK Mohun Bagan in 2020 and later signed with HNK Sibenik in Croatia the following year. He saw just three minutes of action before leaving with an injury. Jhingan returned to ATK Mohun Bagan during the 2022 January transfer window.
Considering that he had recently returned from an injury, he did rather well in the nine games he played. What did he bring to the ISL? Jhingan, a fan favourite, has the #21 for Kerala Blasters retired. But at the conclusion of the previous campaign, the team brought back the number and gave it to Bijoy Varghese.
8. Borja Fernandez
One of the two individuals on this list with two Indian Super League championships to his name is Borja Fernandez. He played a significant role in the ATK midfield in 2014. Even in 2016, when they won the title for the second time, the former Real Madrid player commanded the team. In the ISL, the defensive midfielder appeared in 47 games. He assisted five times while also scoring twice.
7. Jeje Lalpekhlua
Following his extravagant celebration, Jeje Lalpekhlua was labeled as a “Mizo Sniper.”The ISL was won by Chennaiyin FC twice (in 2015 and 2017–18). Lalpekhlua unquestionably had a significant impact on those accomplishments. With 24 goals in 76 games, Lalpekhlua ranks second among Indian goal scorers in ISL history, only behind Sunil Chhetri. Additionally, the 31-year-old has eight assists.
Injury forced him to miss the 2019–20 season, but he returned in 2020–21 with SC East Bengal, a newcomer. His career was severely impacted by the injury. The striker recently participated in seven games for the Red & Gold, scoring one. He wasn’t kept around for the next campaign, and no team signed him in 2021.
6. Elano Blumer
In 2014, the former Brazilian midfielder signed with Chennaiyin FC. However, the now-40-year-old joined the team on loan from Santos the following year. Elano Blumer played in 26 games for India in the Indian Super League, scoring 12 goals and dishing out six assists. He was crucial to Chennaiyin FC’s 2015 ISL victory.
5. Roy Krishna
One of the most lethal forwards to ever compete in the ISL was Roy Krishna. With 36 goals in 60 games, he presently holds the fourth-highest goal total in the competition. In 2019–2020, the 34-year-old joined ATK. Krishna stayed on with the team the next year when ATK and Mohun Bagan merged. Why was I unlucky? He continued to lead the league in scoring in the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons, first with Nerijus Valskis and subsequently with Igor Angulo, but never took home the Golden Boot for statistical reasons.
4. Sunil Chhetri
The ISL’s second-highest goal scorer is Sunil Chhetri. With 51 goals in 114 games, he is just two goals behind Bartholomew Ogbeche in scoring. When Bengaluru FC joined the ISL in 2017–18, Chhetri finished the season as the top Indian scorer with 10 goals. He is still Bengaluru FC’s and India’s primary up front player even at the age of 37.
3. Ferran Corominas
The only player to receive consecutive Golden Boot trophies in 2017–18 and 2018–19 is Ferran Corominas. He was a constant menace to opposing defenders while he played in India. He scored 48 goals in 57 games while playing for FC Goa. In reality, up to the end of the previous season, Bartholomew Ogbeche and Sunil Chhetri were the competition’s highest scorers.
2. Bartholomew Ogbeche
With 53 goals in 77 games, Bartholomew Ogbeche is presently leading the competition in scoring. He has represented four Indian teams: Hyderabad FC, Mumbai City, Kerala Blasters, and NorthEast United. With 15 goals so far, he continues to be the Kerala Blasters’ leading scorer. He just prolonged his tenure with an Indian club (Hyderabad FC) for the first time.
1. Stiven Mendoza
Steven Mendoza, who is now 29 years old, arrived in India when he was just 22. He was the driving force behind Chennaiyin FC’s first ISL championship. Laxmikant Kattimani was called for an own goal in the game’s last minute, bringing the scores even. Mendoza completed the transaction for the Marina Machans in the next minute. He played 25 games for Chennaiyin and led the list of the Top 10 ISL players of all time with 17 goals and three assists.
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