ISL 2020-21: Overseas players who have been called up to international duty

These players have been called up by their national teams in the ongoing international break.

The Indian Super League (ISL) finished its longest season to-date and the quality of performances certainly went up a notch. The performances of the players, especially the overseas stars kept on improving as the day went by and this was evident from the fact that it was once again a foreign striker (Igor Angulo) who finished the season as the top goalscorer in the league.

The performances of some of these players also meant that they were recalled for their national teams. Today, we will take a quick look at the players who have been selected for their national teams owing to their performances in the Indian Super League 2020-21.

3. Roland Alberg (Suriname, Hyderabad FC)

The Hyderabad FC midfielder Roland Alberg recently received a call up by the Suriname national team for their 2022 World Cup qualification games. He represented the Netherlands in his youth days but decided to represent the country of his descent at the senior level.

Alberg signed for Hyderabad FC in the winter transfer window and contributed a solitary goal and assist in eight appearances for the Nizams, coming in a 2-2 draw against ATK Mohun Bagan.

He made his debut at the age of 30 for the Suriname team recently in their opening CONCACAF World Cup qualification game against Cayman Islands and followed it up with a goal against Aruba, in his second game for the South American nation.

2. Khassa Camara (Mauritania, NorthEast United FC)

NorthEast United's Khassa Camara gave an excellent account of his capabilities and experience in his first season in Indian football. The Mauritanian was one of the best players for NEUFC this season, as he consummately manned affairs in midfield.

His contributions to the Highlanders' cause is evident from his figures this season, Camara played every game and missed all but 89 minutes of action. He ranked top among NorthEast United's players for interceptions (50), touches (1,066), passes (816), and tackles (110), showing his all-round prowess of managing and breaking up play in the middle of the park.

For his efforts leading NorthEast into the playoffs this season, Camara earned a call-up to the Mauritanian national team for the opening games of their qualification campaign for the African Cup of Nations. He recently featured in their 0-0 draw against a Morocco team featuring players like Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, and Munir El Haddadi.

1. Nerijus Valskis (Lithuania, Jamshedpur FC)

The 2019-20 Golden Boot winner finally earned the call-up to his native Lithuanian team after two prolific seasons in the ISL. Valskis scored eight goals in 18 games for Jamshedpur FC this season and while he couldn't repeat his 2019-20 heroics to inspire his side to the playoffs, his goals certainly gave hope to a squad bereft of firepower.

Valskis featured in a 4-0 friendly defeat at the hands of Kosovo on 25th March and was an unused substitute in his side's 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening World Cup qualification game.