Top 5 best footballers from Tamil Nadu

Raman Vijayan and Syed Sabir Pasha are highly regarded names in Indian football from Tamil Nadu.

The Indian state of Tamil Nadu is widely known for its picturesque beaches and temples. However, to add to this, the southern state is also known for producing competitive sporting stars in games like Cricket, Chess, Kabaddi, and Tennis.

In terms of football as well, Tamil Nadu has produced big names that have gone on to represent the Indian national team. Clubs like Chennaiyin FC, Chennai City FC and Indian Women’s League club Sethu FC have recently brought a lot of attention to the region.

Here are the top five footballers from Tamil Nadu that have gone on to make a name for themselves in Indian football:

Raman Vijayan

Born in 1973, Raman Vijayan was a renowned forward during his time, making 30 appearances for the Indian national football team. The Tamil Nadu-based player scored 7 goals for the Blue Tigers and also helped them win the 1997 SAFF Championship.

Raman Vijayan also has a widely renowned club career where he represented FC Kochin, East Bengal, Mahindra United, Dempo SC, and Mohammedan SC. The striker’s best came with East Bengal, with whom he also won a Federation Cup in 1966.

Syed Sabir Pasha

One of the best football players ever produced, Syed Sabir Pasha made his debut for the Indian national team in 1993 and played 12 matches in the international level. During this time, the forward represented the Blue Tigers in the 1993 and 1995 Nehru Cup, 1995 SAFF Cup, and the 1996 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers among other tournaments.

In terms of club football, Syed Sabir Pasha played out most of his entire career with Chennai-based club Indian Bank between 1993 and 2007. He spent a season with Bangladeshi club Dhaka Abahani as well. Pasha managed Indian Bank, and was an assistant at Chennaiyin FC after retirement. He is currently AIFF’s technical director.

Also Read: Top 10 best footballers from Goa

Jagannath Krishnaswamy

Better known as Kittu, the Thajavur born forward has left an everlasting note in Indian football history. Krishnaswamy represented the India football team in the 1956 Summer Olympics where the Blue Tigers finished fourth in the tournament.

The Tamil Nadu-born forward also helped the Indian football team win the 1955 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament and also represented East Bengal in club football. Jagannath Krishnaswamy coached both the Indian men’s and women’s senior football teams before his untimely demise in 1981.

Nallappan Mohanraj

Born in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, Nallappan Mohanraj ended his career becoming one of the best players from the southern state. The left back played 14 games for India and also captained the U-18 Indian football team in 2007.

Nallappan Mohanraj has also represented the likes of Mohun Bagan, ATK, Chennaiyin FC, and Churchill Brothers amongst other clubs. The defender also won the 2014 Indian Super League title with ATK and the Super Cup with Mohun Bagan in 2009.

Nandhakumar Sekar

Nandhakumar Sekar has risen up the ranks in Indian football over the years and the 39-year-old currently plays for the ISL club East Bengal, with whom he won the Indian Super Cup in 2024. The winger previously represented Chennai City FC and Odisha FC.

Owing to his performances, Nandhakumar Sekar was also given a chance to represent the Indian national football team. The Tamil Nadu-based footballer helped the Blue Tigers win the 2023 SAFF Championship and the Intercontinental Cup.

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.