In this article you know about “The 10 best Indian football players of 2023”
Football, also known as soccer in some countries, is one of the most popular and widely played sports in the world. It enjoys a massive global following, with millions of fans and players participating at various levels, from grassroots to professional leagues. Football has a rich history that spans centuries and is deeply ingrained in the culture of many nations.
Football is filled with various events and competitions that captivate fans around the world. Some of the major football events are FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship, AFC Asian Cup, English Premier League and Copa America.
Best 10 football players in India – 2023
Table of Contents
1. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is an Indian professional football player who is renowned for his goalkeeping skills. He was born on February 3, 1992, in Chandigarh, India. Gurpreet has had a significant impact on Indian football and has represented both the national team and various clubs.
Gurpreet began his football journey at a young age and quickly made a name for himself as a talented goalkeeper. In 2009, he joined the AIFF Elite Academy, which provided him with the opportunity to further develop his skills and receive professional training. He caught the attention of scouts and was signed by East Bengal, one of the top clubs in Indian football.
During his time with East Bengal, Gurpreet showcased exceptional goalkeeping abilities and played a crucial role in the team’s success. He helped East Bengal win the I-League title in the 2012-2013 season and was named the “Best Goalkeeper of the I-League” for his outstanding performances.
2. Anwar Ali

Anwar Ali is an Indian professional football player who is recognized for his versatility and strong defensive skills. He was born on December 14, 2000, in Chandigarh, India. Anwar has represented the national team and various clubs in his football career.
Anwar’s football journey began at a young age, and he showcased promising talent early on. He played for the Chandigarh Football Academy, where his skills and potential were nurtured. His performances caught the attention of scouts, and he was signed by the Indian Super League (ISL) club Mumbai City FC in 2017.
Anwar’s talents did not go unnoticed at the national level either. He was called up to the Indian national team in 2018 and made his senior international debut in a friendly match against Jordan. His inclusion in the national team highlighted his potential and the recognition he had garnered.
However, Anwar faced a setback in his career when he was diagnosed with a heart condition known as an autoimmune disorder. This condition temporarily halted his playing career as he had to undergo medical treatment and take a break from competitive football.
Despite the challenges, Anwar Ali has shown resilience and determination to overcome his health issues and continue pursuing his football career. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, he has been in the process of making a comeback to professional football, with hopes of returning to the pitch.
3. Sandesh Jhingan

Sandesh Jhingan is an Indian professional football player known for his strong defensive skills and leadership qualities. He was born on July 21, 1993, in Chandigarh, India. Sandesh has been a prominent figure in Indian football and has represented the national team and various clubs throughout his career.
Sandesh’s journey in football began at a young age, and he honed his skills playing for local clubs in Chandigarh. He made his professional debut with United Sikkim in the I-League second division in 2011. His impressive performances caught the attention of scouts, and he soon earned a move to the I-League club Sporting Clube de Goa.
His breakthrough moment came in 2014 when he joined Kerala Blasters FC, one of the most popular and successful clubs in the Indian Super League (ISL).
In 2020, Sandesh signed with ATK Mohun Bagan, a prominent club in the ISL. His move to ATK Mohun Bagan further solidified his reputation and provided him with the opportunity to compete at a high level in Indian football.
4. Rowllin Borges

Rowllin Borges is an Indian professional football player known for his strong midfield presence and versatile playing style. He was born on September 5, 1992, in Assolna, Goa, India. Rowllin has made significant contributions to Indian football, representing both the national team and various clubs.
Rowllin began his professional career with Sporting Clube de Goa in the I-League, one of India’s top football leagues. He quickly established himself as a reliable and hardworking midfielder, showcasing his ability to control the game, provide accurate passes, and contribute defensively.
His performances caught the attention of scouts, and in 2017, Rowllin joined NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League (ISL). He became a crucial part of the team’s midfield, displaying his box-to-box capabilities, excellent work rate, and ability to win tackles. Rowllin’s contributions played a significant role in NorthEast United’s success and helped them reach the playoffs in the 2018-2019 season.
Rowllin’s impressive performances did not go unnoticed at the international level. He made his debut for the Indian national team in 2015 and has since become a regular member of the squad. His strong midfield presence, passing ability, and defensive contributions have made him an important player for the national team.
One of Rowllin’s standout moments came in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, where he played a vital role in India’s midfield. His performances were widely appreciated, and he showcased his ability to compete at a high level against some of Asia’s top teams.
5.Pritam Kotal

(Image Credits: augustman.com)
Pritam Kotal is an Indian professional football player who is known for his defensive skills and versatility on the field. He was born on 4th July 1993 in Uttarpara, West Bengal, India. Pritam has represented the Indian national team and various clubs throughout his career.
Pritam began his football journey at a young age and showed promise from an early stage. He started his professional career with Mohun Bagan, one of the iconic football clubs in India, in 2012. Pritam quickly established himself as a reliable right-back, showcasing his defensive abilities, strong tackles, and ability to join the attack.
His performances at Mohun Bagan earned him recognition and a call-up to the Indian national team. Pritam made his international debut in 2015 and has since become a regular member of the squad. He has represented India in various international tournaments and played a significant role in the team’s defensive line.
Pritam’s contributions to the national team include participating in the 2018 AFC Asian Cup and the SAFF Championship. He has consistently displayed his defensive prowess and has proven to be a reliable and dedicated player for the Indian team.
6. Bipin Singh Thounaojam

Bipin Singh Thounaojam, commonly known as Bipin Singh, is an Indian professional football player known for his attacking prowess and versatility on the field. He was born on January 6, 1996, in Manipur, India. Bipin has made significant contributions to Indian football, representing both the national team and various clubs.
Bipin’s football journey began at a young age, and he quickly showed promise as an attacking player. He started his professional career with Neroca FC in Manipur, playing in the I-League, one of India’s top football leagues. His performances for Neroca FC caught the attention of scouts, and he earned a move to Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2018.
Bipin’s breakthrough moment came during the 2020-2021 ISL season, where he had a standout campaign. He became an integral part of Mumbai City FC’s attack and displayed his goal-scoring abilities, technical skills, and creativity on the field. Bipin’s performances earned him the “Hero of the League” award for the season, as he contributed crucial goals and assists, helping his team secure the ISL title.
7. Anirudh Thapa

Anirudh Thapa is an Indian professional football player known for his midfield skills and technical abilities. He was born on January 15, 1998, in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Anirudh has made significant contributions to Indian football, representing both the national team and various clubs.
Anirudh’s football journey began at a young age, and he showed immense talent and potential. He joined the prestigious AIFF Elite Academy, which provided him with the necessary training and exposure to develop his skills further. Anirudh’s performances at the academy earned him recognition, and he was signed by Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2016.
Anirudh quickly established himself as a key player for Chennaiyin FC, showcasing his ability to control the midfield, provide accurate passes, and contribute defensively. He played a crucial role in Chennaiyin FC’s success, helping the team win the ISL title in the 2017-2018 season and finish as runners-up in the 2019-2020 season.
8.Udanta Singh Kumam

Udanta Singh Kumam, commonly known as Udanta Singh, is an Indian professional football player who is recognized for his speed, agility, and attacking abilities. He was born on June 14, 1996, in Manipur, India. Udanta has made significant contributions to Indian football, representing both the national team and various clubs.
Udanta’s football journey began at a young age, and he showed great potential as a winger. He joined the Tata Football Academy, which played a crucial role in his development as a player. Udanta’s performances at the academy caught the attention of scouts, and he was signed by Bengaluru FC in 2014.
At Bengaluru FC, Udanta quickly established himself as a key player. He became known for his incredible speed and ability to beat defenders on the wing. Udanta’s performances were instrumental in Bengaluru FC’s success, as he helped the team win multiple titles, including the I-League and the Indian Super League (ISL).
Udanta’s exploits at the club level earned him a call-up to the Indian national team. He made his international debut in 2016 and has since become a regular member of the squad. Udanta has represented India in various international tournaments and friendlies, showcasing his pace, skill, and ability to provide assists and score goals.
9. Lallianzuala Chhangte

Lallianzuala Chhangte, commonly known as Chhangte, is an Indian professional football player who is recognized for his speed, agility, and goal-scoring abilities. He was born on July 30, 1997, in Mizoram, India. Chhangte has made significant contributions to Indian football, representing both the national team and various clubs.
Chhangte’s football journey began in Mizoram, where he honed his skills at the local level. His performances in state-level tournaments caught the attention of scouts, and he was signed by DSK Shivajians in 2014. He impressed with his performances for DSK Shivajians’ youth team and earned a promotion to the senior team.
In 2016, Chhangte joined Delhi Dynamos FC (now Odisha FC) in the Indian Super League (ISL). He quickly established himself as a key player for the club and showcased his attacking prowess, scoring crucial goals and providing assists. Chhangte’s performances earned him recognition as one of the most promising young talents in Indian football.
10. Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri is an Indian professional football player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in Indian history. He was born on August 3, 1984, in Secunderabad, Telangana, India. Chhetri has made significant contributions to Indian football, representing both the national team and various clubs.
Chhetri’s football journey began at a young age, and he showed immense talent and passion for the game. He started his professional career with Mohun Bagan, one of the most iconic football clubs in India, in 2002. His performances for Mohun Bagan caught the attention of scouts, and he earned a move to East Bengal FC, where he continued to impress with his goal-scoring abilities.
In 2010, Chhetri made a significant move to the international stage when he signed with Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City) in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. Although his time in the MLS was relatively short, it provided him with exposure to a higher level of competition and helped him further develop as a player.
Chhetri’s most notable contributions have come with Bengaluru FC, a club he joined in 2013. He has been the team’s captain and leading goal-scorer, leading the club to numerous domestic and international successes. Under Chhetri’s leadership, Bengaluru FC has won several I-League titles, Federation Cups, and emerged as a dominant force in Indian football.
(Image Credits: augustman.com)
Read more wiki
What is the official name of the Indian national football team?
The official name of the Indian national football team is the Indian senior men’s national football team.
What is the team’s nickname?
he Indian national football team is commonly known as the Blue Tigers.
Who governs the Indian national football team?
The Indian national football team is governed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Has the Indian national football team participated in the FIFA World Cup?
India has never participated in the FIFA World Cup, although they did qualify by default for the 1950 World Cup after all other nations in their qualification group withdrew.