Top seven moments of Subrata Paul's career

Subrata Paul served as Indian Football Team’s captain in 2015.

Subrata Paul has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 36. The ex-India goalkeeper had his final stint at ATK Mohun Bagan in 2022, but hadn’t played football for a whole year at the top level. This caused him to take the decision to announce his retirement after what was a memorable career.

Paul will probably be best known for his heroics for the India National Football Team, whom he also captained in his career. Here we look at the best moments of the Indian “Spiderman” goalkeeper’s career.

7. Captaining India for the first time

Subrata Paul became one of the rare goalkeepers to captain the India National Team in 2015. He was given the armband to lead out the Indian side in a match against Turkmenistan and produced some impressive performances during his captaincy stint. Subrata helped the Blue Tigers reach the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers as captain as well.

6. Winning The East Bengal Player of the Season award

Pal played for a number of prominent clubs in his career, but some of his best years were spent at East Bengal. He joined them as a 21-year-old and went on to excel from the get-go. In fact, he even won the East Bengal Player of the Season award in 2008 for his heroics in between the goal. He played a key role in helping them win the 2007 Federation Cup, which played a key role in him winning the fan-vote-based award.

5. Winning first Nehru Cup with India

Pal made his official debut for India as a 20-year-old and would actually go on to achieve success very soon. In his first international tournament, the 2007 Nehru Cup, the goalkeeper was chosen to play for India in between the goal. He produced a few impressive displays to help India win the Nehru Cup also won the first silverware of his international career.

4. Being named as AIFF Player of the Year

The 36-year-old was a mainstay in the India national team for the next few years after his debut and earned that role with his reliable outings for the Blue Tigers. Paul was especially excellent in 2009, which is why he was also adjourned with the AIFF Player of the Year award. Pal is one of the few goalkeepers to achieve that as well.

3. Winning AFC Challenge Cup

Subrata Paul was one of India’s best players at the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup held in New Delhi. He got two clean sheets in five games and was a rock in goal, making a number of crucial saves throughout the tournament. Pal played a key role in helping the Blue Tigers win the AFC Challenge Cup and add more silverware to their cabinet.

2. Receiving the Arjuna Award

Subrata Paul’s admirable career was rightfully celebrated in 2016, when he was conferred with the Arjuna Award. This is the most prestigious sports award in India, with Paul joining an exclusive list of Indian footballers to be given this award. The Arjuna Award was the perfect reward for Pal and the culmination of all the good things he did in his footballing career.

1. Being given the ‘Spiderman’ nickname

Subrata Paul properly introduced himself to the international stage at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup with his outstanding performances in goal. His arguably best display came in the 4-0 loss to South Korea, where he frustrated the opponents with a string of exceptional saves. After that, Pal was given the nickname of the Indian ‘Spiderman’ by the Korean media and earned the reputation for being one of the best goalkeepers to come out of India.

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