Ranking top 10 most high-profile foreign footballers to have played in ISL

ISL has seen some prolific stars play in the league since its inception.

The Indian Super League (ISL) has been the stage for some of the most prominent foreign footballers to have ever played in Indian football. Since its inception in 2014, the teams in the divisions were encouraged to rope in some prominent foreign players into their teams to catch the eye of not just the Indian football fans but also those fanatics of European football.

With the introduction of the ‘marquee player’ rule from the first season of the ISL, teams were able to splash the cash to rope in some renowned footballers from around the globe. Granted, many of these footballers might’ve been in the final stages of their careers, but their sheer presence and high-profile nature automatically raised the reputation of the division.

Even though the marquee player rule might have been removed from the ISL for many years, the first few years of the division gave a platform for some world-class footballers to grace Indian football. Here, we look at the topmost high-profile foreign players to have played in the ISL.

10. David Trezeguet

David Trezeguet was a clinical forward in his career, enjoying impressive success with AS Monaco and Juventus, as well as winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup with France. The French forward scored 34 goals in 71 games for France, as well as over 150 goals for Juventus in his 10 years with them. After leaving the Italian side in 2010, however, Trezeguet became a bit of a journeyman who played for many unique clubs.

That ultimately led to him joining FC Pune City as their marquee player for the first-ever ISL campaign in 2014. The French forward made nine appearances for FC Pune City, scoring two goals in the process, and he wasn’t really able to inspire them to a playoff place in his only campaign in the ISL.

9. Dimitar Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov had a notable career in the Premier League, especially with his heroics for Manchester United after joining them in 2008. The Bulgarian won the Premier League title twice with the Red Devils and also scored 56 goals for them, gaining a lot of popularity among fans. In 2017, Kerala Blasters were able to rope in Berbatov to be part of their squad for the 2017-18 ISL campaign.

The then 36-year-old striker was their main man up front but didn’t really have the most memorable time in Indian football. Berbatov only scored one goal in nine ISL appearances for the Tuskers, eventually falling out with head coach David James before flying out of the country. Despite that, he remains one of the most notable foreigners to play in the ISL since its inception.

8. Freddie Ljungberg

Freddie Ljungberg earned his popularity for being part of the Arsenal side that enjoyed a lot of success under Arsene Wenger. After joining them in 1997, the Swedish winger won the Premier League title twice with the Gunners, which included being part of their ‘Invincibles’ squad that clinched the 2003-04 Premier League without losing a game. Ljungberg actually spent the final stages of his career with Mumbai City FC, who signed him as their marquee player for the 2014 campaign.

Ljungberg, who was around 37 at the time he joined Mumbai City, was able to glitter up games with his impressive technical ability on the ball – but failed to make a major impact for the Islanders. He only made four appearances for Mumbai City in one season before retiring from football after leaving them.

7. Nicolas Anelka

Nicolas Anelka might have been a bit of a journeyman in his career, but he still won a number of impressive accolades throughout his career. The robust French forward, who scored over 200 goals in his career and also bagged 14 goals for France, won the Premier League title with Arsenal and Chelsea as well as a Champions League title with Real Madrid.

In 2014, Anelka opted to take a new journey in his career a he joined up with Mumbai City FC to spearhead their frontline in the ISL. Anelka was able to glitter up the Indian football scene with some eye-catching performances, but only managed two goals in 13 games for the Islanders – being unable to help them win the championship.

6. Robert Pires

Robert Pires entertained fans with a really attractive playing style, having utmost grace about his game and tormenting defenders with his trickery as well as clever link-up ability. After succeeding in French football, Pires joined Arsenal in 2000 and enjoyed his best years with the Gunners, winning the Premier League title twice. After spending periods at Villarreal and Aston Villa, he seemingly retired in 2011 – only to make his comeback for the debut campaign of the ISL in 2014.

FC Goa signed him as their marquee player and the-then 40-year-old was also appointed as their captain. Pires was actually able to guide FC Goa to the ISL playoffs, making eight appearances and scoring one goal for them and being a decent driving force despite his age. He only spent one campaign with the Gaurs, before retiring for good after the end of the 2014 ISL campaign.

5. Diego Forlan

Diego Forlan is widely revered as one of the best strikers in Uruguayan football history, reaching his peak at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He scored five goals at the 2010 World Cup, including the Goal of the Tournament, and even won the Golden Ball for his heroics in enabling Uruguay to reach the semifinals of the World Cup.

Forlan had successful stints with Villarreal and Atlético Madrid in his career, scoring 128 goals in La Liga, and he also made 63 appearances in the Premier League with Manchester United.

In 2016, after a short stint with Peñarol, Forlan opted for a new experience in his career by joining Mumbai City for the 2016 campaign as their marquee player.

Forlan was actually quite successful in his stint, scoring five goals in 11 games for them – including a hat-trick in a 5-0 thrashing of Kerala Blasters. Forlan guided the Islanders to the ISL playoffs, having a pretty prolific stint in his only campaign in Indian football.

4. Lucio

Lucio gained the majority of his success with Bayern Munich, winning three Bundesliga titles with them and also being part of the 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning squad of Brazil as well. He was a hard-as-nails defender, known for being able to bully forwards and being extremely efficient with his challenges inside the box. The Brazilian defender was actually roped in as a marquee player in the ISL for FC Goa in 2015, and became an important leader in their backline.

Lucio made an impressive impact in the first season with the Gaurs, guiding them to the final of the 2015 ISL campaign – where they lost to Chennaiyin FC. He helped then rack up quite a few clean sheets and commanded over their backline with his decisive style. The Brazilian defender made five appearances in his second season with FC Goa, but left Indian football with some fond memories.

3. Florent Malouda

Florent Malouda was quite a silky, eye-catching winger in his career, as he loved tormenting defenders with his clever forward runs and being able to cause chaos in the final third. He earned 80 caps for France and enjoyed success with Chelsea, winning the Premier League title (twice) as well as the UEFA Champions League title with them.

In 2015, Malouda was roped in by Delhi Dynamos to be a marquee player to help them drive forward for the ISL title. Malouda was a regular for Delhi Dynamos in the 2015 ISL campaign, helping them reach the ISL playoffs by being a major driving force for them. Malouda made 32 appearances in the ISL across two seasons for Delhi Dynamos, scoring three goals and providing 11 assists for them, being one of the most prolific marquee players to have played in the ISL.

2. Roberto Carlos

Roberto Carlos is widely considered as one of the greatest full-backs of all time, as he delighted fans with his highly skilled playing style. Carlos enjoyed a lot of success with Real Madrid, winning four La Liga and three UEFA Champions League titles with them.

He also won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil and amassed over 800 appearances across a legendary career, which ended with his stint at Delhi Dynamos. Carlos arrived in the ISL for Delhi Dynamos in 2015, coming out of retirement for them.

The Brazilian defender only made three appearances for Delhi Dynamos, entertaining the fans with some of his impressive work. He ended up transitioning into a manager for Delhi Dynamos, helping them reach the ISL playoffs in 2015 before leaving the club in 2016.

1. Alessandro Del Piero

Alessandro Del Piero’s legendary career at Juventus is renowned as one of the most memorable cases of devotion towards one club shown by a football in the 21st century. Del Piuero made well over 700 appearances for the Bianconeri, scoring 290 goals for them and winning six Serie A titles before an emotional departure from the club in 2012.

After spending two years with Sydney FC, Del Piero decided to take a leap to Indian football as the marquee player for Delhi Dynamos in their first-ever campaign.

Del Piero created some nice memories for the Dynamos’ fans, scoring a memorable free kick for his only goal in 10 appearances in the ISL. He retired from football after his stint with the Delhi Dynamos and also ended up adding more glamour and popularity to the ISL.

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