Top 10 best footballers from Kerala

Several legends of Indian football are featured in the list.

Football holds a special place in Kerala, where it is deeply rooted in the culture and identity of the state. The God’s Own Country’s footballing history has a rich legacy of producing exceptional footballers in its repertoire who have made their mark both nationally and internationally. Here’s a list of the all-time top 10 footballers from Kerala, celebrated for their contributions to Indian football.

Thenmadom Varghese

Thenmadathil Mathew Varghese popularly known as Thiruvalla Pappan, was a prominent figure in Indian football history. Hailing from Thiruvalla, the defender began his career with Thiruvalla Town Club and later played for Travancore State Police and Tata Sports Club in Bombay.

Varghese represented the Indian Football Team at the 1948 Summer Olympics, becoming the first Malayali footballer and the second Keralite ever to play in the Olympics. He was also part of the gold-winning Indian team at the 1951 Asian Games. He passed away in 1979 at the age of 59, leaving behind his remarkable legacy in Indian football.

Olympian Rahman

T. Abdul Rahman, known as Olympian Rahman, was a towering figure in Indian football. He was a key defender in the Indian team that reached the semifinals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Having debuted for India at just 19, Rahman began his club career in the early 1950s with local clubs in Calicut, later playing for prestigious clubs like Mohun Bagan and Rajasthan Club.

Rahman led the Mohun Bagan defense during the 1950s and 1960s, having served as the team’s captain during his tenure. He also led Bengal to multiple Santosh Trophy titles and captained Bangalore to victory in 1962. Rahman later coached clubs like Mohammedan Sporting and Premier Tyres before passing away in 2002.

PBA Saleh

PB Abdul Saleh, also known as Kottayam Saleh, emerged as a football star from Kerala in the 1940s. Discovered by East Bengal from a local Kerala tournament in 1944, he became the first Malayali to play in Kolkata. Saleh quickly established himself as a regular in the left wing and was part of the legendary ‘Pancha Pandavas,’ one of India’s most formidable attacking units.

He spent nine seasons at East Bengal, winning numerous tournaments and was also a key player for Bengal in the Santosh Trophy. Despite being omitted from the 1948 London Olympics squad, Saleh represented India at the gold medal-winning 1951 Asian Games and the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. The legendary left winger passed away in 1979.

Captain Mani

Kannur native TK Subramanian, popularly known as “Captain Mani,” became a football legend in Kerala after leading the state to their first-ever Santosh Trophy victory in 1973. Playing against the star-studded Railways team at Kochi’s Maharaja’s Ground, Mani scored a hat-trick, to lead Kerala to a thrilling comeback victory. He has since been known as ‘Captain Mani’.

Mani quickly became a fan favourite and was even referred to as the “Pele of Kerala football” due to his extraordinary skills and impact on the game. His heroics in the final not only cemented his place in Kerala’s football history books but also earned him a spot in the national team, where he captained India against Germany. Mani passed away in 2017 at the age of 77.

Victor Manjila

Victor Manjila, a prominent goalkeeper from Thrissur, was a key member of Kerala’s 1973 Santosh Trophy-winning team. He was an acrobat in goal and a regular in Kerala’s Santosh Trophy squads during the 1970s, having captained the side on occasions.

Victor also represented India in international tournaments such as the President’s Cup (1976) and King’s Cup (1977). He played for clubs like Premier Tyres and later after his retirement coached Kerala’s Santosh Trophy team and Calicut University.

Xavier Pius

Xavier Pius is another iconic player of Kerala’s 1973 Santosh Trophy-winning team. He was regarded as one of India’s best strikers during his time. Pius impressed with his performances for Premier Tyres in Kochi and was named Kerala Football Association’s Player of the Year in 1978. He moved to Mohun Bagan in the late 1970s, where his elegant playing style made him a fan favourite in Kolkata.

In 1981, Xavier Pius’s exceptional performance scoring twice, led his side to a historic Federation Cup semifinal win over fierce rivals East Bengal. The team went on to win the trophy, defeating Mohammedan SC in the final. He represented India from 1975 to 1983 and captained the national team in 1982.

Pappachen Pradeep

Pappachen Pradeep was a popular figure in Kerala football during the late 2000s. He was a left-footed midfielder, with his long-range shots in his repertoire becoming key to his persona. Having started his career with SBT at a very young age, Pradeep was called up for the Indian squad for the 2005 SAFF Cup.

Pradeep quickly became a regular in the Indian football team and was also a key player scoring several crucial goals. This included a memorable performance in the 2007 Nehru Cup final where he scored from long-range against Syria to secure the trophy. He continued to impress for the national team, having played a pivotal role in the Asian Cup 2011. He had a notable club career with top sides such as Mahindra United, Viva Kerala, Mohun Bagan and Mumbai Tigers.

VP Sathyan

VP Sathyan is a legendary footballer from Kerala, remembered as one of India’s greatest defenders. He was popularly known as ‘Captain,’ and he led the Indian team from 1991 to 1995, winning the 1995 SAF Games gold medal. Sathyan played for many of India’s prominent clubs like Kerala Police, Mohun Bagan, and Mohammedan Sporting, with success in both domestic tournaments and the Santosh Trophy.

The centre-back was instrumental in Kerala’s second Santosh Trophy triumph in 1992. He made 81 appearances for India and tallied four goals for his nation. Sathyan earned the AIFF Player of the Year award in 1995. Tragically, he took his own life in 2006 due to depression.

Jo Paul Ancheri

Jo Paul Ancheri was an iconic figure in Kerala football. Another star hailing from Thrissur, he was a versatile footballer who could easily fit in defence, midfield, and attack. He began his career with the State Bank of Travancore and moved to top clubs like Mohun Bagan, FC Cochin and East Bengal.

Jo Paul represented India at the U-19 level and was then signed by Mohun Bagan. He debuted in the Santhosh Trophy and the national team in 1994. Ancheri was known for his leadership and team spirit on the pitch and helped Bengal win the 1998 Santosh Trophy. He was named AIFF Player of the Year twice in 1994 and 2001. He also represented India in several tournaments like the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games.

IM Vijayan

Inivalappil Mani Vijayan is one of the most iconic footballers to ever emerge from Kerala, having left an unforgettable mark on Indian football and etched his name into the history books. Born in Thrissur, Vijayan is celebrated as one of the greatest forwards in Indian football history. Vijayan began his career with the Kerala Police Football Club and eventually emerged as one of the leading figures in domestic football with his extraordinary talent and aggression on the pitch.

Vijayan quickly established himself as a regular in the Indian National Football Team, also captaining the side for a long stint. He scored one of the fastest international goals, finding the net in just 12 seconds against Bhutan in the 1999 SAF Games.

Vijayan was named Indian Player of the Year in 1993, 1997, and 1999, becoming the first to win the award multiple times. IM Vijayan was honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2003, one of India’s highest sports accolades.

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