Gerard Zaragoza praises this Indian football team defender for his goalscoring heroics

Rahul Bheke marks his homecoming to the Kanteerva after three long years.

Rahul Bheke, a 33-year-old centre-back from Mumbai, has long been a cornerstone for both the Indian national football team and the clubs he has represented so far in the Indian Super League (ISL). Gerard Zaragoza praised Rahul Bheke for his scoring. Standing 5 feet 10 inches, Bheke’s return to Bengaluru FC, where he proudly dons the number 2 jersey, feels like a homecoming after three long years.

His journey began in 2015 with East Bengal, followed by a brief loan at Kerala Blasters. But in 2017, when he joined Bengaluru FC, his career truly blossomed, earning him not only success, but a place in the hearts and minds of the fans at the Kanteerava Stadium. Bheke’s defensive tenacity, combined with his uncanny ability to rise to the occasion with crucial headed goals, has made him one of the most reliable and versatile defenders in Indian football.

Who could forget his iconic header in the dying moments of extra time that sealed Bengaluru’s ISL title in the 2018-19 season? Moments like that don’t just win matches and trophies – they carve a legacy. In 2021, Bheke took on a new challenge, joining Mumbai City FC, where he once again led by example, captaining the team to both the ISL Shield in 2022-23 and the ISL Championship the following season. Now, with his return to Bengaluru FC, Bheke’s experience and leadership will be invaluable as Gerrard Zaragoza and his team look to revive the club’s golden era and bring glory back to the Kanteerava.

Back home. 🥹#BhekeIsBack #WeAreBFC #BFCOpenHouse pic.twitter.com/A914AB51x0

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) July 7, 2024

Gerard Zaragoza’s take on Bheke

Ahead of Bengaluru FC’s inaugural fixture of the new season against East Bengal, gaffer Gerard Zaragoza highlighted the importance of Bheke in the Bengaluru FC setup.

“We’ve brought Rahul back, and I’m sure they all remember his last ISL goal for BFC. Kanteerava is a Fortress because of our supporters, and now they have players who will fight for them. This is the moment for them to come and support us.”

Apart from their 2022 Durand Cup triumph, Bengaluru FC have faced a relative drought in terms of silverware in recent years, a stark contrast to their former dominance in Indian football. As a club accustomed to success, they are now eager to break free from these challenging times, with head coach Gerrard Zaragoza determined to revive the glory days that once defined them.

Rahul Bheke’s return to the Bengaluru FC setup is expected to be a crucial factor, as his vast experience and wealth of knowledge, gained from playing for several top-tier clubs, will be invaluable to the younger players. Bheke’s leadership, coupled with the presence of seasoned stalwarts like Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Sunil Chhetri, and Nikhil Poojary, makes Bengaluru FC a formidable force as they head into the upcoming Indian Super League season.

Their mix of experience and national team talent positions them as serious contenders for both the ISL Shield and the ISL Trophy. Only time will tell whether Bheke and his team can reignite their supremacy and once again become a source of pride and joy for their passionate fans at the Kanteerava Stadium.

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