Top five ISL midfield maestros of all time

Several talented players have graced the ISL over the years

The midfield is, quite simply, the heartbeat of a football team. It requires players that can do it all, from breaking up opposition attacks and winning back possession to creating chances and getting on the scoresheet. 

The dissipation of fixed positions and increased prominence of ‘roles’ or ‘functions’ mean these folks in the middle of the park are tasked with an array of duties. Nevertheless, midfielders are often the cornerstones of elite-level sides. They can do it all and come in a myriad of shapes, sizes, and profiles.

Since its inception back in 2014, The Indian Super League has seen some absolute maestros in the midfield, who with their sheer talent, have orchestrated profound spells of brilliance.

Today, we take a journey back in time and look back at the best midfielders who have graced the Indian Super League.

5. Eric Paartalu

Eric Paartalu is one of those underrated players, who often miss the limelight when it comes to the plaudits that are given to Bengaluru FC for their mighty success over the years in the Indian Super League. 

The sturdy 6’3 defensive midfielder guarded Bengaluru’s backline like an absolute beast and allowed no room for attackers. Even the most lethal attacking units failed to beat Paartalu and his greatly formulated defensive line. Paartalu in total made 89 appearances for Bengaluru, scoring 12 goals and assisting 11 goals.

Paartalu also has a reputation for turning up at absolutely crucial times, and this has made him quite an admired and respected player among the West Block Blues.

4. Edu Bedia

Edu’s journey in the ISL started in the 2017-18 season, when the Spaniard, who previously played in the Spanish second and third division. His great connection with Spanish protagonist Sergio Loberia, who was serving as Goa’s head coach at that time, helped him make an instant impact in his first season, where he helped his side reach the semi-finals. 

In the six years he spent at Goa, Edu grew into a legendary figure among the Gaurs, and while every other player came and left, Edu stayed loyal to the Orange crest, and his leadership and guidance were pivotal in Goa’s consistent rise. 

His major notable achievements after he joined the club include winning the 2018/19 Hero Super Cup campaign followed by being crowned as the ISL League Shield Winners in the 2020/21 campaign and winning one of the oldest-ever football tournaments in India, the Durand Cup in the same season.

3. Federico Gallego

Federico Gallego, better known as the “King of Highlanders”, is the sort of player that a team can only dream of having. Having put pen to paper with Northeast United FC at the start of the 2018-19 season, Gallego quickly started to make his mark for Northeast and scored in his ISL debut against FC Goa. 

In his first season, Gallego formed a lethal partnership with Bartholomew Ogbeche at the front and guided the Highlanders to their first-ever ISL playoffs. 

His creative style of play and impeccable technique make him one of the most unique talents to play in the ISL. Not only that, but his loyalty towards his side, also makes him a true legend among the Highlanders. Despite facing numerous injury issues, Gallego continued his stride and joined ATK Mohun Bagan in the 2022-23 winter transfer window, where he won the league title with the Mariners, before making a move to the Uruguayan second division.

2. Ahmed Jahouh

Moving on in the list, we have another Moroccan majesty, who with his all-round performances in the midfield, has brought awe in the eyes of the onlookers, for quite some time now. 

Ahmed Jahouh started off his ISL journey at FC Goa back in 2018, and straight away firmed his place in the starting lineup. His combative and dominant style of play varied with his inch-perfect passing, made him Goa’s core unit in the middle of the soccer field. 

After a great 2019-20 season, Jahouh made a high-profile signing for the Islanders, where he helped the Blues win two Shields across the span of three years. Now with Odisha FC, Jahouh is continuing his impressive play, giving a major testament to his versatility and adaptability. 

1. Hugo Boumous

Starting this list is the man who not only helped orchestrate magic at every club he played but also had a great affiliation with winning trophies. During the span of the past five years, Boumous has won two ISL Shields, two league titles, the Durand Cup, and also the Super Cup. 

Having made his ISL debut at the age of 23, Boumous was quick to make an impact for FC Goa and has never looked back ever since. In the 2019-20 season, Boumous won the Player of the Season award, for his astounding numbers, which included 11 goals and 10 assists in 18 games. 

Boumous creative style of play, and his great understanding of the game, made him an unstoppable force at times, and the impact that he has made in the ISL, will be long remembered by those in the canopy of Fatorda.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.