EXCLUSIVE: Sumit Rathi opens up about Antonio Lopez Habas, NorthEast United, ISL offers, Super League Kerala & more

Sumit Rathi was awarded the ISL 2019-20 Emerging Player of the Season

Sumit Rathi, the name itself reminds people of the raw young talent that Indian Football have produced over the years. The 24-year-old defender is a well-known name in the Indian Football circuit with multiple titles to his name. The defender won ISL title twice, the ISL Shield once and the Durand Cup once. Sumit was also awarded the Emerging Player of the Season in ISL 2019-20.

The defender is currently without a club but has played under some great managers, with top teammates, and for some very good clubs in India.

Khel Now had the opportunity to exclusively speak with Sumit Rathi, where he opened up about his time at ATK, the impact of Antonio Lopez Habas on his career, his time with NorthEast United FC, his experience in Super League Kerala and also gave an exclusive update on the offers he received at the beginning of the ISL 2025-26 season.

Let’s dive deeper into this conversation.

On playing under top coaches at a very young age

Sumit Rathi has played under some top-class manager at a very young age, whether it’s in ATK, ATK Mohun Bagan or NorthEast United FC. When Khel Now asked Sumit about his experience of playing under such coaches, he talked about the learnings he took from these coaches and how every coach has a different approach.

“I feel very fortunate to have played under some of the best coaches and alongside top players at such a young age. I come from a very humble background and from a place where football wasn’t very common, so reaching this level itself has been a huge inspiration for me. When I entered the ISL, I played under different coaches, starting with coach Habas. One thing I learned very quickly is that every coach has a different mindset and approach, but all of them want the same thing, 100 percent from their players.”

“What I really liked about foreign coaches was that they never differentiated between young players and senior players. For them, performance is everything. Some coaches bring the best out of players through aggression, while others do it through communication and confidence, but the goal is always the same.”

“My experience with every coach has been very positive, both on and off the field. I also learned a lot from experienced foreign players. Many young Indian players can feel uncomfortable when they step up from junior football, but I always tried to communicate with everyone and learn as much as possible.”

“One important lesson I learned is that instead of focusing on whether you are playing or not, you should focus on improving yourself every single day. Whenever you step onto the training ground, you must stay focused, give your best, and try to learn something new every day, no matter how small it is.”, Sumit concluded with.

Experience of playing under Habas

Sumit Rathi flourished very well under the leadership of coach Antonio Lopez Habas and also played most under his coaching. Sumit even perhaps saw his prime under Habas, when Khel Now asked him about his experience with Habas, Sumit talked about the mentality that the Spaniard maintains in the dressing room and the competitive nature he witnessed at ATK.

“It was a great experience for me. When I was playing in the junior team, I always felt that the competition at ATK was at a completely different level because we had so many star players in the squad.”

“But with coach Habas, the only thing that mattered was performance on the pitch. It didn’t matter whether you were from the junior team or an experienced international player, if you proved yourself on the field, you would get opportunities. Personally, my experience with him was very good. I genuinely believe that any team with a coach like Habas will always get results because of the mentality he creates within the squad.”

“What stood out the most was the dressing-room environment. Whether we won, lost or drew, the atmosphere remained almost the same because the focus was always on the bigger goal, winning the league. Usually, teams celebrate one victory and lose focus afterwards, but at ATK that never happened. Our target was always clear, play the final in March and win the trophy.”

“That mentality was created not just by coach Habas, but by the entire coaching staff, including the Indian staff. So, that’s something I liked that he wasn’t satisfied with one or two wins, his only goal was to win the final and lift the trophy. So those things as a young player I feel that improved my mindset a lot.”

The feeling after getting named as the ISL Emerging Player of the Season

When we asked Sumit about the unforgettable moment when he won the ISL Emerging Player of the Season, he opened up about the hard work behind it and the emotions involved.

“When I joined ATK from Indian Arrows, my only thought was to get a good platform and improve myself. I played for India U-23 team after coming back from the Asian games, during my first season, I mainly trained with the senior team and tried to understand the demands and standards required at that level.”

“Later, after performing well in the second division, Coach Habas told me that whenever I got an opportunity with the senior team, I had to prove myself. From that moment, I always kept one thing in mind, whenever I got a chance, I had to give my 100 percent.”

“I kept working on myself every day in training. At the end of the day, it is always the coach’s decision whether you play or not, but the biggest lesson I learned at ATK was to keep improving and continue working hard regardless of the situation.”

“When I won the Emerging Player award, honestly, I wasn’t thinking too much about individual achievements. My main focus was on becoming champions, and winning the title in my debut season made it even more special.”

“It was a very emotional moment because it felt like a reward for all the hard work and sacrifices made over 10-12 years during my academy days. It’s a memory I will carry with me for life, and even today I feel proud and happy whenever I think about that moment.”

Experience of playing in Super League Kerala

When asked about his experience in Super League Kerala, Sumit replied, “At that time, there was a lot of uncertainty around the ISL, and for footballers, the toughest thing is not being able to play regularly. We need continuous training and game time to stay sharp. That’s why I decided to play in Super League Kerala, and honestly, the football culture there is incredible. The people in Kerala truly love football, and because of their passion, you never feel like you are playing in just a state-level league. Everything from the training facilities to the management feels very professional and top-level.”

“I genuinely feel other states should also create leagues and football cultures like Kerala because it is helping football grow massively there. What impressed me most was that people there invest in football with passion and emotion, not just for returns. They respect everyone the players, coaches, and staff and try to create the best possible environment.”

“For me personally, it was a short but very valuable experience because my main aim was to stay fit and get game time. Overall, I had a tremendous experience, and with the standards they are maintaining, I believe the league will grow even more in the coming years.”

On Indian clubs not giving enough time to youngsters

When Sumit was asked whether the Indian clubs move away too quickly from the Indian youngsters, he said that every team have different demands and no one can be blamed for the lack of gametime.

Sumit explained, “I think it completely depends on the situation. From my experience, you cannot simply blame the player, the coach, or the management. Sometimes the management likes a young player, but the coach’s system requires more experienced players. At other times, the coach may want young players while the management prefers experienced ones. So, every situation is different and depends on the club’s requirements and vision.”

“I don’t think young players should lose hope because of this. If a player wants to succeed in the ISL, it’s important to first understand the demands of the coach and the management. Some clubs are comfortable building young squads, while others prefer experienced players. But that doesn’t mean anyone is at fault. Football works like a family and understanding different mindsets is very important.”

“Even if a young player is not getting game time, it doesn’t mean they should give up. Nobody knows what tomorrow can bring. If you are already part of the ISL in India, you are playing at a very high level in Indian football, and opportunities can come anytime. The most important thing is to stay ready, keep improving, and grab the opportunity when it arrives.”

The short time spent at NorthEast United FC

Sumit Rathi spoke highly of the team environment at NorthEast United FC and shared his experience playing for the Highlanders.

“The culture at NorthEast United has always inspired me, and I think almost every Indian footballer wants to experience playing there at some point. At that time, I had to join a club during the January transfer window, and NorthEast United were performing very well. They were also giving opportunities to young players, and after speaking with coach Juan Pedro Benali, I really liked his mindset and vision.”

“Both the coach and I were very clear from the beginning. He told me to come, join the training, understand the culture, and then decide later whether I wanted to continue. During my time there, everyone tried to make me feel comfortable and give their best support.”

“The love I received from the fans, teammates, and coaching staff was something very special. When you join a new club, receiving that kind of affection is very rare. Even though it was a short stint, it will always remain memorable for me. The environment at NorthEast United, from the dressing room to the academy is beautiful.”

“I also really loved how involved John sir (John Abraham) is with the club. He personally checks on players and stays connected with the team personally. That makes the club feel very special because it’s not just about investment, it’s about passion, culture, and genuine care for the people involved.”

He also opened up about the player who stood out the most among all the teammates he has played with, naming Alaaeddine Ajaraie as the one who truly impressed him the most.

He said, “I have played with many players, and I believe every player has quality on the pitch. But for me, professionalism and behaviour off the pitch are equally important. One player who really stands out for me is Alaaeddine Ajaraie. He is not just an amazing player because of the goals he scores or his performances, but also because of the kind of person he is. Watching him closely made me feel that I want to become someone like him. He is always positive and keeps motivating people around him. Even after scoring one goal, he immediately focuses on scoring the next one. Even after winning awards or receiving praise, his attitude never changes, whether it’s during matches, training sessions, or off the pitch.”

“That consistency and professionalism are the reasons why he has achieved so much in the ISL, even things that some big names couldn’t achieve. Honestly, his fitness level is also unbelievable, I haven’t seen many players maintain themselves like that.”

On receiving offers from several ISL clubs

We also asked Sumit Rathi whether he had received offers from other ISL clubs ahead of the 2025-26 season. The defender opened up about the interest he attracted in the transfer market, revealing that he had multiple offers on the table before the campaign began.

Sumit said, “Yes, I had clear offers from around six or seven ISL clubs, including long-term contracts. But from my perspective, you cannot make decisions in a hurry because a lot can change in Indian football within three years, and we have already seen that happen. Every offer was good in its own way, but because of the uncertainty around Indian football at that time, I wanted to invest my future somewhere I truly felt valued.”

“I definitely received calls and had discussions with clubs, but one thing I learned from my time so far is that you have to think very carefully before making big decisions. Sometimes taking risks is important, but understanding your value is equally important.”

“What was happening in Indian football at that time was visible to everyone. Clubs were bringing in foreign players and, in some cases, players were not even being paid. That is unfair because every footballer has responsibilities and a family to support. People often forget that becoming a professional footballer doesn’t take one or two years. it takes 15 to 20 years of sacrifice and hard work. That’s why it’s important to choose the right environment.”

“For me, my vision is very clear. It may take one month or even one year, but I know exactly where and how I want to continue my career contributing both on a club and national level. So yes, I had offers, but I didn’t feel those opportunities were right for me at that moment.”, Sumit concluded.

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