Indian football is in the middle of a transformation and the signs are promising! The new gen of talented players has already made an impact on domestic leagues and international football fixtures. Let’s look at the brightest of young Indian footballers that have been showcasing extraordinary skill, determination, passion, and a promise to shape the future of Indian football.
Amarjit Singh Kiyam
Amarjit Singh Kiyam grabbed eyeballs as the captain of India’s 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup team, leading from the front both on and off the pitch. India put forth a strong show under his captaincy to challenge tough opponents like Ghana and Colombia. His spirited performances and leadership quality didn’t go unnoticed, and he became one of the most sought-after players in the domestic circuit.
Hailing from Manipur, a state with a great football heritage, Amarjit started with AIFF’s developmental Indian Arrows side in the I-League. Soon, he was picked for the Indian Super League (ISL), where he represented Jamshedpur FC in the 2019-20 season.
One of Amarjit’s best abilities that impressed the football fraternity was his transition from a defensive midfielder to a dynamic box-to-box player. Be it hard tackles and intelligent runs, Amarjit’s playing style is often compared to that of Italian World Cup winner Daniele De Rossi.
Amarjit made his senior debut for the Indian national team at the King’s Cup in Thailand in June 2019. Now, he has been a regular feature in the side for the last couple of years. Earning praise from Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri who described him as a “live wire on the pitch” and highlighting his energy and commitment.
“If you tell him (Amarjit Singh) to fight with a wall for three hours, you will come back to see that he is still fighting with the wall.” – Sunil Chhetri
The prowess has been tremendous over the years for Indian football fans to look up to Amarjit with great expectations.
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Jeakson Singh
Jeakson Singh is Amarjit Singh Kiyam’s cousin and another Manipur player knocking on the doors for selection in the senior Indian national football team.
Jeakson Singh first captured the nation’s attention when he scripted history and became the first and only Indian to score a goal in a FIFA tournament, against Colombia in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. It was a never-witnessed moment as his treasured header during a fiercely contested match sent Indian fans into a frenzy, symbolizing that India is ready for the global stage.
The Manipur footballer, standing tall at 6’1”, started his football career at the Chandigarh Football Academy. Later, he joined the Indian Arrows team. With powerful performances, Jeakson was signed by the Kerala Blasters for the ISL 2019 edition. The signing proved a masterstroke as he has become a mainstay in the team’s midfield. In the 2021-22 ISL season, Jeakson was one of the vital cogs for Kerala Blasters’ successful campaign to the final.
Former Nigerian World Cup player Bartholomew Ogbeche and Kerala Blasters teammate has spoken highly of Jeakson’s performances. With his consistent performances, it is about time before Jeakson breaks into the senior national team as a regular.
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Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem
Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem comes from Manipur, a state that keeps on giving when it comes to sports. The goalkeeper for India’s 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup squad was one of the stars in that tournament. A string of crucial saves in the match against Colombia earned him recognition as one of India’s brightest goalkeepers to watch out for.
After junior World Cup exploits, Dheeraj was on the brink of joining Scottish Premiership side Motherwell FC but work permit issues got in the way. He continues to impress in ISL, representing Kerala Blasters, ATK (now ATK Mohun Bagan), and FC Goa. His performances for FC Goa in the AFC Champions League (ACL) 2021-22 were particularly noteworthy and earned him a spot in the ACL Team of the Season. He was the first Indian to achieve this honor.
Dheeraj remains a strong contender to don the gloves for the national side after India’s first-choice goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
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Mohammad Nawaz
Mohammad Nawaz missed being part of India’s 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup squad by a barest margin. He kept the dream alive and rose to prominence in the Indian Super League (ISL) when he signed for FC Goa. His exceptional reflexes and ability to play out from the back quickly established him as the first-choice goalkeeper at the ISL club. At FC Goa, he played a key role in the team’s success and helped win the Super Cup and the League Winners’ Shield.
In 2021, Nawaz moved to Mumbai City FC and further strengthened his claim as one of the best goalkeepers in India on the continental stage in the AFC Champions League.
At present, he plays for Chennaiyin FC and continues to thrive. The prowess is excellent so far and we hope he keeps up with it.
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Sumit Rathi
Sumit Rathi has risen through the ranks to become one of Indian football’s most promising defenders. He comes from a small town of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, and through hardships he has reached a stage of reckoning.
Emerging Player of the Season award during the 2019-20 ISL season where he played a vital role in securing ATK’s third ISL title put the spotlight on the defender.
Rathi started his career at the AIFF Elite Academy and joined the Indian Arrows in the I-League later. His career defining moment came in 2018 when he was drafted into ATK’s B team in 2018 and in 2019 he was regular in ATK’s 2019-20 ISL side under Antonio Lopez Habas.
It is his solid tackling and game sense that makes Rathi a powerhouse on the field. Currently, he is playing for Mohun Bagan and continues to excel. For the qualities and attributes he possesses, he is being seen as the ideal partner for Sandesh Jhingan in India’s backline.
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The stage is set for these young guns to take the baton forward. Hope Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Jeakson Singh, Dheeraj Singh, Mohammad Nawaz, and Sumit Rathi continue to put on inspired performances for their ISL sides and national team.
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