Bengaluru FC’s top 10 greatest players: Ranked

A list featuring some of the best players to don the iconic Blues jersey.

Indian Super League (ISL) club Bengaluru FC has seen the incomings and outgoings of many talented players while rapidly growing into one of India’s most formidable football clubs. The Blues, known for their passionate fanbase, professional setup, and consistent performances, have left an indelible mark on Indian football.

Bengaluru FC have almost won every trophy in Indian football apart from the ISL league shield. Over the years, a number of exceptional players have donned the BFC shirt, each contributing to the club’s rise in unique ways.

Here are Bengaluru FC’s greatest players over the club’s history:

10. Naorem Roshan Singh

A symbol of Bengaluru FC’s commitment to youth development, Roshan Singh burst onto the scene with an impressive combination of pace, technique, and work rate. His versatility—comfortably operating at both left-back and left wing—made him a critical asset in transition phases.

He particularly stood out in the 2021–22 season, registering multiple assists and earning himself a national team call-up. Still only just 26, Roshan’s inclusion on this list is a testament to how much he has already achieved in his time with the Blues.

9. Dimas Delgado

The Spanish midfielder was the reason for the smoothness in BFC’s midfield during a golden period for the club. While showcasing intelligence on the ball and tactical astuteness, Dimas brought composure and vision that allowed his teammates to flourish.

Dimas’ leadership and experience were vital, especially during the club’s 2018–19 Indian Super League (ISL) title-winning season. Few midfielders matched his ability to dictate the tempo of a game in the Blues jersey. He continues to remain an iconic figure in the Blues history.

8. Erik Paartalu

A towering presence in midfield, the defensive midfielder from Australia Erik Paartalu combined physicality with a surprisingly deft passing range. A player known for his aerial prowess and clutch goals, Paartalu became a fan favorite not just for his performances but also for his affinity with the supporters.

His partnership with Dimas formed one of the most balanced midfields the club has ever seen. A former Australian international, Paartalu won the ISL title and the Kalinga Super Cup title with the club.

7. Cleiton Silva

Cleiton Silva brought Brazilian flair and consistency to the Bengaluru FC front line in a difficult period in club’s history. While he joined the club during this transitional period, his goal-scoring abilities never waned and he had good performances during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 ISL campaigns.

Whether through clever positioning or instinctive finishes, Cleiton carried the attacking burden and kept the team competitive in attacking sense in games. His professionalism and work ethic set a high bar for foreign recruits.

6. Rahul Bheke

Arguably, one of the most iconic Indian defenders in club’s history, Rahul Bheke delivered for Bengaluru FC when it mattered most. His 117th-minute header in the 2018-19 ISL final handing Bengaluru FC their maiden ISL crown.

Beyond that historic moment, Bheke continues to be a defensive stalwart and his versatility across the backline, is an asset for any coach he played under during his time at the club. A physically dominant, and tactically sound player, his contributions to the team went far beyond just one night of glory and he is hugely appreciated by the West Block Blues.

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5. Javi Hernandez

A more recent but impactful addition, Javi Hernandez brought creativity and finesse to Bengaluru’s attack and making them tick in games. With his dribbling, vision, and ability to score from distance, Javi revitalized the team’s offensive setup in another difficult period in club’s history.

His influence on and off the ball makes him one of the most complete midfielders to ever wear the Blues shirt. Javi’s impact has grown significantly with each passing season and he continues his ISL legacy now with Jamshedpur FC.

4. Miku

Nicolás Ladislao Fedor Flores, popularly known as Miku, was a revelation in Indian football. In the 2017–18 season, he scored 14 goals in 17 league matches, forming a deadly partnership with Sunil Chhetri.

Miku brought elite-level experience, having played in Spain’s La Liga, and transferred that pedigree seamlessly to the ISL. His movement, finishing, and intelligence made him a nightmare for defenders and a joy for fans, as he played a key role in their 2018-19 ISL title win.

3. Suresh Singh Wangjam

A tenacious, hardworking, and relentless midfielder, Suresh embodies the West Block Blues spirit in his play in the heart of midfield. His rise at Bengaluru FC mirrored the club’s effort to rebuild with young Indian talent and fans find it hard to imagine the club without Suresh Singh.

While often compared by Indian football fans to the likes of French midfielder N’Golo Kante for his tireless energy, his importance became indispensable under multiple coaches. His consistency and maturity beyond his years have made him a future club captain for Bengaluru FC in the upcoming seasons.

2. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Apart from being India’s No. 1 between the sticks for several years, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a name for himself while being a rock for Bengaluru FC at the back. After returning from his stint in Europe with Stabæk, Gurpreet added solidity, leadership, and world-class shot-stopping to BFC’s backline for a number of seasons.

The former Indian Footballer of the Year played a pivotal role in the club’s major silverware campaigns where they won the ISL title, the Durand Cup and the Kalinga Super Cup. A player who has regularly bailed the team out with breathtaking saves, Gurpreet remains one of the biggest names at the club since making their ISL debut.

1. Sunil Chhetri

Undisputedly the greatest player in Bengaluru FC’s history, Sunil Chhetri is more than a goal-scorer, he is the Captain, Leader, and Legend of the club. Leading from the front since the very beginning of their time in the ISL, Chhetri has delivered time and again, both on and off the pitch in critical moments at the biggest of stages.

His goals, leadership, and unwavering commitment have inspired generations of modern strikers currently plying trade in Bengaluru FC and other ISL clubs. Under his captaincy, the club has lifted multiple trophies and reached continental heights that were once unprecedented. Chhetri’s legacy is etched not just in the stats, but in the very identity of Bengaluru FC as an ISL club.

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