FC Goa's top five best all-time foreign players in ISL history

The Gaurs have had impactful foreigners don their colours, etching their names in ISL history.

FC Goa’s trademark philosophy of riveting attacks and rock-solid defensive showcases was not always present. In the Indian Super League (ISL) club’s 10-year existence, the Gaurs have slowly cultivated their approach, embedding it deep into their DNA with the help of players and managers alike. 

As with all other ISL clubs, FC Goa has also received help from distinguishable foreigners, some of whom still play in the league. Under Manolo Marquez, recently, the club has started contending in the playoffs after a good three-year hiatus.  

Currently, the club sits in 5th place on the ISL 2024-25 table after being assisted massively by the goalscoring contributions of Albanian hero, Armando Sadiku. Similar imports have left an indelible mark on the fans, the club, and the league itself, especially during the 2018-2020 period as the Gaurs became almost infallible, winning everything in sight and breaking records left and right. 

With that in mind, let us take a look at FC Goa’s top five best all-time foreign players. 

5. Ahmed Jahouh

Although he has made unparalleled contributions to Mumbai City FC and Odisha FC as well, it was with FC Goa that Ahmed Jahouh made a name for himself initially. Playing as Sergio Lobera’s creative fulcrum in an intense attacking unit, turned him into the passing maestro that he is today. 

Jahouh was fielded in a variety of positions; from a number 10 to a holding midfielder and in a box-to-box role. He excelled in all of them, as his laser-guided precision while passing and shooting aided him in finding his desired target. Thanks to Lobera’s preference to deploy him in different positions, he also polished his tackling skills topping the league charts for most successful tackles in two successive seasons (59 in ISL 2018-19 and 60 in ISL 2019-20). Additionally, launching a pass from an awkward angle or shooting from an unfathomable distance gradually became his trademark move as he honed his stupendous skillset.

Jahouh also became deft at set pieces under Lobera’s tutelage. The midfielder notched one goal and six assists in his time at the club and also helped FC Goa pick up their maiden ISL silverware, as they ran out champions in the 2019-20 season. 

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4. Mourtada Fall

Jahouh’s longtime teammate was also a pivotal figure under Sergio Lobera and formed the core group of the Spaniard’s most trusted commandants at every club they’ve been together. FC Goa, however, is sure to hold a special place in Mourtada Fall’s heart. 

It was with the Gaurs that his no-nonsense defending came to the fore and became renowned. The towering Senegalese centre-back also began making a name for himself as an absolute monster from set pieces, nodding in countless headers.

Though Fall has retained his threat from corners and free-kicks, he registered two records with FC Goa, becoming the player to score the highest number of headed goals in ISL 2018-19 (4) and ISL 2019-20 (5). What’s even better is that he broke his own record and played a crucial role in helping the Gaurs win the ISL Trophy and the Indian Super Cup in the 2018-19 season.

3. Edu Bedia  

If the personification of loyalty existed, it would resemble Edu Bedia’s tenure at FC Goa. The Spanish midfield maestro joined the Gaurs in ISL 2017-18 from Spanish side Real Zaragoza. Since then he has been with the outfit amidst storm and sunshine.

Bedia, with his pinpoint passing and playmaking in the middle of the park, helped Goa lift multiple trophies, which consisted of the ISL 2018-19, the Indian Super Cup 2018-19, and the Durand Cup in 2021. He was also part of the historic Gaurs side that became the first-ever Indian club to qualify for and play in the AFC Champions League.

Edu Bedia, however, also saw dark days with the club as they failed to qualify for the ISL playoffs since 2021-22, marking a disheartening fall from grace. Even with other clubs in the league fighting for his signature, Bedia stayed true to the Gaurs and bowed out in 2023 as a proper club legend in the eyes of Goa’s faithful. That signaled an end to his illustrious career for FC Goa, with 16 goals and 17 assists in 122 appearances spanning the ISL, Durand Cup, Super Cup, and the AFC Champions League.

2. Carlos Pena

Spanish left-back Carlos Pena was already in the twilight of his career when he joined FC Goa, but he ensured to give his best in driving the side to glory. Pena nailed down his spot as the starting fullback and the seasoned La Liga veteran led the Gaurs to the Indian Super Cup in 2018-19 and then the ISL 2019-20 trophy. 

The FC Barcelona academy graduate has had a decorated career, winning the U-19 Euro with Spain in 2002 and his stint at FC Goa, saw him become a leader and an icon at the Indian side. So much so, that even after he hung up his boots in 2020, he returned to the club’s helm, to lead them as manager in 2022. 

Although Pena had an impressive record with his side, with a win rate of 43.48%, he parted ways with the club after just a season, since they failed to qualify for the playoffs and win anything. Needless to say, however, FC Goa fans shall always fondly remember their beloved left-back and manager till the end of days. 

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1. Ferran Corominas

No one can bring tears to the eyes of FC Goa’s faithful as much as Spanish center-forward Ferran Corominas. “Coro” as he is lovingly called, put pen to paper and signed with FC Goa in ISL 2017-18. What ensued was a chronicle of his outstanding feats as the spearhead of the Gaurs’ attack. 

Coro registered 18 goals and five assists the same season, as he became the Gaurs’ leading hat trick scorer till date, with two hattricks against Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC as well as the ISL 2017-18 Golden Boot winner. The striker’s clinicality was the stuff of legends, as he continued his goalscoring spree for the next two seasons with Goa in the ISL. 

In his second season, he had 16 strikes and seven assists to his name, finishing as the Golden Boot winner for the second time in a row. He also topped the goalscoring charts in the Super Cup 2018-19 helping the Gaurs to the title with his five goals. 

Coro’s 14 goals and four assists guided Goa to the piece de resistance as they won the ISL 2019-20 and the attacker left his side the following season. His unparalleled legacy at the club has enshrined him as the crown jewel of all foreigners to have donned FC Goa’s iconic orange colors.   

Honourable Mentions: Although their time at the club was comparatively less Igor Angulo, Noah Sadaoui, and Jorge Ortiz were all fan favourites during their stint in Goa. Angulo finished as the Golden Boot Winner for ISL 2020-21 with his 14 goals and Ortiz led the side to the Durand Cup after featuring for them in the league as well.

Noah Sadaoui’s contributions need not be mentioned as the Moroccan winger was their key player for the last two years before his move to Kerala, with 19 goals and 14 assists in 40 appearances.  

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