Richest Indian Footballers
Football in India has witnessed a surge in popularity in recent years, with a growing number of talented players making significant strides in domestic and international leagues. As the sport gains momentum, so does the wealth of its top athletes. In this article, we delve into the lives and careers of some of the richest Indian footballers who have excelled on the pitch and amassed considerable wealth off it.
Introduction to Indian football
Indian football has a rich history dating back over a century, with the sport introduced during British colonial rule. Over the years, football has evolved into one of the most popular sports in the country, capturing the hearts of millions of fans nationwide.
Overview of wealth in Indian football
While footballers in India may not command the astronomical salaries seen in top European leagues, many players have still built considerable wealth through various avenues, including endorsements, sponsorships, and investments.
Top richest Indian footballers
10. Robin Singh
Robin Singh is number ten on our list of the wealthiest Indian football players. Singh, who was up in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, started playing football and cricket at a Noida academy when he was nine. He participated in numerous youth competitions with them.
When Singh had to choose between cricket and football at the age of thirteen, he went with cricket because it was the sport he generally loved playing the most. Singh began attending Chandigarh’s St. Stephen’s Cricket Academy after receiving the required funding from his parents.
9. Jackichand Singh
Jackichand Singh, who ranks ninth on our list of the richest Indian football players, is a goal scorer who has inspired his nation. Indian football player Telem Jackichand Singh was born on March 17, 1992. He mostly plays as a winger for Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League.
On September 19, 2011, Jackichand made his professional debut for Royal Wahingdoh in the Federation Cup, an I-League 2nd Division matchup against Churchill Brothers.
With Jacki’s second goal in the 53rd minute, Wahingdoh pulled off an upset in the cup. Wahingdoh won the match 2-1. Despite scoring again, Jackichand would play twice more in the Federation Cup group stage but could not lead his team out of the group.
8. Anas Edathodika
He is unquestionably among the most incredible and wealthy Indian football players. When Edathodika joined the Malappuram U14s in the ninth grade, he began to take football seriously. Edathodika was an auto-driver who made Rs. 180 a day driving people around town in addition to being a football player.
After that, he joined the NSS College Manjeri football squad, where Dr. P.M. Sudhir Kumar helped develop his clinical skills. Feroz Sherif, a former India international, eventually caught wind of him when he was participating in an intercollegiate match.
7. Seityasen Singh
The extremely gifted yet humble person, Seityasen Singh, comes in at number seven on our list of the richest Indian football players. He began competing with the Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League 2019.
In the 2015 Indian Super League season, he played for North East United and was one of the ten Indian players up for auction. Due to his outstanding accomplishments, he was called up to the National Team again after winning four Emerging Player of the Match awards.
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6. Arata Izumi
Arata Izumi, at number six on our list of the richest Indian football players, is one of the captivatingly wealthy athletes from India. Izumi joined Mahindra United of the I-League in 2007, taking over from the former National Football League.
He sustained an injury at the beginning of the 2007–08 I-League season that prevented him from playing football for six months. That season, he made a comeback, with one goal and two assists in eight games.
Izumi recorded five assists and one goal in sixteen I-League games the following season. Mahindra and Arata won the Durand Cup that season. After that, he signed with FC Pune City in the ISL.
5. Karanjit Singh
On January 8, 1986, Karanjit Singh was born in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. At fifteen, he began playing football. Former national coach Sukhwinder Singh noticed him in one of the local competitions.
He was subsequently called for JCT FC in 2004. Karanjit Singh is ranked fifth among the wealthiest Indian football players. On July 23, 2011, Singh debuted for India against the United Arab Emirates, replacing the sent-off goalkeeper Subrata Pal on the bench.
On December 11, 2011, Singh scored four goals to assist India defeat Afghanistan 4-0 and winning the 2011 SAFF Cup. Singh started each of India’s five matches throughout the competition and recorded three clean sheets.
4. Eugeneson Lyngdoh
Lyngdoh comes in at number four on this list of the wealthiest football players from India. Indian football player Eugeneson Lyngdoh was born in Shillong, Meghalaya, on September 10, 1986. He most recently played for East Bengal in the Indian Super League.
After being signed by Pune City, an Indian Super League team, for Rs. 1.05 crore (US$214,431) in the player drafts on July 10, 2015, he made waves. David Platt, the manager of Pune City, praised Eugeneson’s technical proficiency and explained the high fee the Pune-based team paid for his services.
He was recognized as the “Football Players Association of India” (FPAI) Player of the Year on September 28, 2015. In his fifth game of the season, Lyngdoh scored his first ISL goal—a magnificent header in a 1-1 draw against FC Goa—against the Goans.
3. Rino Anto
Rino Anto is next in line. Popular Indian professional football player Rino Anto was born on January 3, 1988, and plays right-back for Punjab FC in the Indian Super League. In the past, he played ISL with Bangalore FC.
Anto, who grew up in Thrissur, Kerala, is a 2008 graduate of Jamshedpur, Jharkhand’s renowned Tata Football Academy. Anto participated in professional I-League football for Mohun Bagan from 2008 to 2010. On February 23, 2010, the club eventually released him.
2. Thoi Singh
His name is among the wealthiest Indian football players. Indian professional football player Khangebam Thoi Singh was born on October 5, 1990. He is a key centre midfielder for Real Kashmir FC in the Indian Super League.
Thoi is incredibly strong, persistent, and capable. He started his career by competing for his state, Manipur, in the national under-16 sub-junior Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy.
In 2006, Thoi signed his first professional deal to play with Indian Bank in the I-League 2nd Division in Chennai.
1. Sunil Chhetri
Finally, Sunil Chhetri is the richest Indian football player and is ranked number one on this list. One of the best football players India has ever produced is Chhetri. His current team in the ISL is Bengaluru FC.
He began to get approaches from overseas clubs in October 2008. In an interview, Chhetri stated, “Yes, I believe I am getting there, but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.”
I was Implying that he might sign a contract in England. But in the end, nothing much moved. In addition to his enormous popularity, he was a major factor in football’s rise to prominence in India.
Impact on Indian football
The success and wealth of Indian footballers have positively impacted the sport’s popularity and infrastructure in the country. Their achievements inspire aspiring young players and contribute to football’s overall growth and development at grassroots levels.
Prospects
As Indian football continues to evolve, the prospects for players to build wealth are expected to grow exponentially. With increasing investment in the sport and the emergence of new revenue streams, the next generation of footballers could surpass their predecessors in both skill and financial success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the journey of Indian footballers from humble beginnings to becoming some of the wealthiest athletes in the country is a testament to their talent, dedication, and resilience. Despite facing numerous challenges, they have managed to carve out successful careers on and off the field, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of players to emulate.