Top five midfielders to have played in Calcutta Football League history

These players have etched their names in the history of the Calcutta Football League.

The Calcutta Football League is one of India’s most prestigious football competitions, with its inaugural season dating back to 1898. 

Over the years, the Calcutta Football League, has been one of the most coveted football tournaments in India, having hosted some of Indian football’s biggest stalwarts, and becoming their gateway to National success. 

Today, we take a look at five amazing midfielders, who have etched their names in the history of the league with the top-notch football.

5. Prasun Banerjee

Being only the second Indian footballer to play in an All-Asia XI team gives us a true testament to how special Prasun Banerjee was. He was part of the All-Asia XI that played Brazil. The midfield maestro was not only technically sound but was also truly hardworking and versatile. 

Prasun won over 25 trophies with Mohun Bagan, including five IFA Shields and five Durand Cup Championships, and repeated quite a similar success story with the Mohammedan Sporting Club. 

4. Katsumi Yusa

Katsumi Yusa started off his journey in India with Mohun Bagan in 2013 and quickly adapted to football in India. As a young and talented midfielder, Katsumi was always hungry to make himself available in promising positions, and this was a trait of his that was quite effective in making him an impactful player for his team in the Calcutta Football League. 

Yusa’s technical soundness made him quite a handful for the opponents in the middle of the box. Katusmi made 124 appearances for Mohun Bagan, before signing for East Bengal, where he played 22 games. 

3. Goutam Sarkar

Goutam Sarkar played for East Bengal as well for Mohun Bagan in the 1970s and 1980s and was quite a legendary figure across the state for his wonderful footballing abilities. The midfielder was given the nickname, ‘The Indian Beckenbauer’, named after the three-time Ballon d’Or winner Frank Beckenbauer. 

Goutam won two IFA Shield trophies and two Federation Cups and was also awarded the Mohun Bagan Ratna award in 2023.

2. Mohammed Habib

Regarded by many as one of the best footballing talents ever produced in India, Mohammed Habib is a legendary figure not just in Kolkata, but all across the Indian football fraternity. 

Mohammed spent his entire club football career in Kolkata, playing for the city’s big three — Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan SC on multiple occasions in the Calcutta Football League. 

Habib was honored with the Arjuna Award in 1980 and was also given the Banga Bibhushan in 2018 by the Government of West Bengal.

1. Renedy Singh

It is quite easy to at times forget how big of an Indian football legend Renedy Singh was. As legendary Sunil Chhetri once said, “Renedy is the best midfielder in the country but also the most under-rated and unnoticed Indian footballer.”

Renedy Singh’s impact both as a coach as well as a player is unmatched. His ability to take inch-perfect set pieces and play crisp and intricate passes made him a menace in the middle of the field. Renedy won the Calcutta Football League title four times with East Bengal, giving him a legendary status in the league. 

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