India senior women's team forward Manisha Kalyan joins Peruvian side Alianza Lima

Manisha Kalyan becomes a rare Indian presence in South American football.

Indian women’s football has taken another step onto the global stage with Manisha Kalyan sealing a move to Alianza Lima Femenino, one of Peru’s most successful women’s teams.

The transfer is both rare and ambitious, seeing an Indian footballer venture into South American club football, a region that has largely remained uncharted for players from the country.

Manisha Kalyan expressed her enthusiasm on joining Alianza Lima Femenino “I feel very happy to be here. I’ve followed the team and I love their style of play. I am very excited for this new challenge. My focus is on always giving 100%, winning every game and helping the team achieve its objectives.”

Head coach Sisy Quiroz shared her thoughts on Manisha Kalyan’s arrival at the club “Manisha is a very versatile offensive player, with great speed, creativity and the ability to unbalance in one-on-one situations, as well as criteria to finish and generate play for the team. Her international career and her leading role in the Indian national team reflect her hierarchy and competitive mentality, qualities that we are sure will bring a differential value to the squad.”

From Europe to South America

Before making the move to Peru, Manisha spent time in Europe, turning out for Apollon Ladies in Cyprus, where she became the first Indian footballer to compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, scoring 14 goals in 36 matches for them, and later joining PAOK FC in Greece, where she scored 8 goals in 23 games. These experiences exposed her to different tactical demands and styles of play, helping her grow as a player and add greater balance to her overall game.

This shift to South America, however, represents a clear change of direction. Football in the region is played with pace, physicality, and a strong technical edge, demanding quick thinking and intensity, the club also has a strong fan following in Peru.

For Manisha Kalyan, Alianza Lima offers more than just a new club; it provides the opportunity to step into a completely different footballing culture, one that will test her adaptability, resilience, and hunger to compete at a higher level. This move also opens up opportunities for Indian football and can be very helpful for young talents looking to test their future abroad.

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