Mohun Bagan players highlight ISL 2024-25 Team of the Tournament

A squad of 11 of the best players who shone during the ISL 2024-25 campaign.

The 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign was highly entertaining and eventful for Indian football fans. It was a season full of ‘firsts’. Mohun Bagan were heavily responsible for a season which had its thrills and spills. The Mariners became the first ISL team to retain the league shield championship. They were also the first side to garner over 50 points during the league phase in ISL history.

Even though the Mariners won both the ISL shield and the ISL title, there were quite a few teams who performed pretty well to compete with them. On top of that, there were also some outstanding performers who played a huge role in their respective teams’ success.

This not only includes the vital contribution from quality foreign players, but the gritty and admirable work form some of the best Indian talents in the league. Here we look at the Indian Super League 2024-25 Team of the Season:

Goalkeeper: Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan)

Vishal Kaith stamped his reputation as the undisputed best goalkeeper in Indian football with his performances in the 2024-25 season. The 28-year-old was like a man of steel for the Mariners in between their goalposts, producing some inspired displays.

He showcased excellent reflexes to pop up with vital saves and helping Mohun Bagan keep the best defensive record in the Indian Super League. He not only made 75 saves in 26 games, but also kept 15 clean sheets – the highest managed by any goalkeeper in a single ISL campaign. He received the Golden Glove award for his heroics and also broke through to the Indian football team.

Right-back: Boris Singh (FC Goa)

Boris Singh maintained admirable consistency with his performances for FC Goa to help them strongly compete for the ISL league shield. The 25-year-old was versatile eough to play both as a right winger and also a right-back for his side, helping them keep seven clean sheets in his 25 appearances.

Boris was a tenacious, gritty figure on the full-back position, winning 91 duels and making 114 possession recoveries. He was also a threat going forward with his bursting runs, scoring one goal and providing an assist for FC Goa.

Centre-back: Rahul Bheke (Bengaluru FC)

Rahul Bheke had a memorable return to Bengaluru FC in the 2024-25 season, slotting in like a glove to their backline. The 34-year-old centre-back commanded over a mean defensive line for the Blues for the majority of the campaign, helping them keep 10 clean sheet in his 26 appearances.

Not just that, but he managed to win 72 duels, make 83 possession recoveries, and make 126 clearances during that period as well. Bheke was excellent in moving the ball forward with an 85% passing accuracy, being a driving figure for his side. He produced some sturdy defensive performances to outwit quality foreign forwards and helped Bengaluru FC reach the final as well.

Centre-back: Alberto Rodriguez (Mohun Bagan)

Alberto Rodriguez proved to be an upgrade over Hector Yuste at Mohun Bagan and added so much more steel to their backline. The Spaniard defender needed a bit of time to adjust to Indian football, but started being an unbeatable figure in their backline. Rodriguez made 22 appearances and helpd the Kolkata giants keep 14 clean sheets in that period.

He won 77 duels, made 103 possession recoveries and 97 clearances in an impressive debut season in the Indian Super League. Not just that, but Rodriguez also scored five goals for the Mariners and maintained an 88% passing accuracy, often helping them push forward with clever passes from the backline.

Left-back: Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan)

The Mohun Bagan captain led from the front to play a major role in helping them secure the ISL double title. Subhasish was an extremely consistent, reliable figure for the Mariners in their backline and showcased admirable leadership skills with his excellent defensive qualities and driving nature. He helped them keep 13 clean sheets in 25 games, making 48 interceptions, winning 152 duels and making 124 possession recoveries.

Not just that, but Bose also scored an amazing six goals, being a huge threat from set-pieces and getting some vital goals. He was an inspired figure because of his upbeat nature and hard-working, motivating his teammates to give their all and help the Mariners win everything.

ALSO READ: Mohun Bagan name 26-man squad for Kalinga Super Cup 2025 campaign

Centre-Midfield: Ayush Chhetri (FC Goa)

Ayush Chhetri proved to be a breakout talent for FC Goa in their 2024-25 Indian Super League campaign and a favourite of Manolo Marquez. The 22-year-old slotted in perfectly to the deeper midfield role for the Gaurs, and featured in 23 matches for them in the campaign.

During that period, he helped add more defensive steel to their side and his high energy levels helped his side control games pretty well. Chhetri won 60 duels and won 64 possession recoveries in the 2024-25 ISL and was pretty slick when it came to moving the ball forward. His energetic nature and impressive game-reading skills made him a mainstay in the FC Goa lineup and also helped him earn an India call-up.

Centre-Midfield: Lalengmawia Ralte (Mohun Bagan)

Mohun Bagan shocked many with their decision to splash big money for the signing of Lalengmawia Ralte from Mumbai City in the 2024 summer window. However, splurging on the 24-year-old midfielder proved to be a gamble well worth taking. Apuia was one of Mohun Bagan’s most consistent players in their Indian Super League title winning campaign, producing one solid perfofrmance after another in the midfield areas.

His impressive ability to regain possession, press resistant nature and passing qualities added a lot of fair to Mohun Bagan’s midfield. He made 133 possession recoveries and won 118 duels in 23 games, and also maintained an 83% passing accuracy. Apuia might’ve only scored one goal, but it came in their 2-0 win over Jamshedpur FC which helped take them to the ISL final.

Centre-Midfield: Connor Shields (Chennaiyin FC)

Connor Shields was arguably the brightest aspect of Chennaiyn FC’s 2024-25 ISL campaign. The 27-year-old had his personal best campaign in the competition, excelling in a more advanced role that granted him more freedom to showcase his creative qualities. Shields produced eight assists for his side, the highest for any player in the 2024-25 Indian Super League.

He actually created a whopping 76 chances in 21 appearances, making him the most creative player in the ISL last season. Shields was spot on with his final passes and crosses into the box, creating a lot of good stuff but not really getting the kind of reward he deserved.

Right-Wing: Ryan Williams (Bengaluru FC)

Ryan Williams was a force to be reckoned with for Bengaluru FC in the 2024-25 Indian Super League campaign, adding a lot of explosiveness and unpredictability to their frontline. The Australian winger made 22 appearances for the Blues in which he had 11 goal contributions (seven goals, four assists).

He was a constant menace in the wide areas, winning 105 duels and often dribbling his way past defenders to bring the ball into the key areas. Williams excelled in the big games for Bengaluru FC, producing a bright performance in the ISL final as well. The 31-year-old added a cutting-edge nature to Bengaluru FC’s frontline to help them get all the way to the final.

Left-Wing: Alaaeddine Ajaraie (NorthEast United)

A major reason for NorthEast United playing some highly entertaining football and reaching the ISL playoffs in the 2024-25 season was their Moroccan magician, Alaaeddine Ajaraie. The 32-year-old was almost unstoppable throughout the campaign, tormenting defenders and showcasing a sensational eye for goals. In 25 appearances, Ajaraie scored 23 goals and provided seven assists for the Highlanders.

He single-handedly won them a ton of points and helped them to the Indian Super League playoffs, scoring key goals against major opponents and thrilling fans with his exciting display. Ajaraie not only claimed the Golden Boot at the end of the season, but also the Golden Ball award for being the undisputed best player of the 2024-25 Indian Super League campaign.

Centre-Forward: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)

Sunil Chhetri proved that age is but a number with his excellent displays for Bengaluru FC in the 2024-25 ISL campaign. The 40-year-old did not show any signs, maintaining high energy levels and always leading from the front in helping his side take the fight to the opposition sides.

Chhetri scored 14 goals in 28 appearances for the Blues this season, grabbing the highest goals for any Indian player and being the second-highest over scorer in the Indian Super League. He showcased an impressive ruthlessness in finishing off chances, being consistent with his regular goals to keep Bengaluru FC among the top sides.

He might not have bee able to won the Indian Super League title, but Chhetri proved that even at the age of 40, he still remains India’s best goalscorer with his heroics.

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