The Indian Super League (ISL) marked its 10th anniversary with a bittersweet reflection. While the league initially aimed to emulate the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in cricket and propel Indian football to greater heights, its impact on the international stage has been limited. Despite a robust league structure with 13 teams and no relegation, India, the 1952 Asian Games champion, currently sits at a disheartening 126th position in the FIFA rankings, its lowest in seven years.
While the ISL boasts a market worth Rs 467 crores, ranking 12th among Asian nations with available data, it has struggled to translate its financial muscle into international dominance. It has attracted global superstars like Roberto Carlos and Alessandro Del Piero, though these additions arrived towards the end of their careers, primarily for promotional value. More recently, the ISL has seen the arrival of players with recent international experience, such as Joni Kauko (Finland’s UEFA Nations League C winner) and Jason Cummings (Australia’s FIFA World Cup 2022 participant), both playing for Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
However, the reverse flow – Indian players venturing into top international leagues – has been notably rare. Sunil Chhetri, India’s all-time top scorer, played for Kansas City in Major League Soccer in 2010, while Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a limited 11 appearances for Stabaek between 2014 and 2017. Sandesh Jhingan’s move to Croatian first-division side HNK Sibenik in 2021 was equally unsuccessful, leading to his return to India. Similarly, Jay Gupta’s journey from FC Pune City to Portugal and Spain yielded minimal playing time.
Manolo Marquez, head coach of the Indian men’s national team, highlighted this trend, observing that Indian players find comfort and lucrative salaries within the ISL, making them hesitant to take the risk of playing abroad. He emphasizes that international exposure, even against tougher competition, is crucial for growth and improvement. Marquez’s perspective resonates with the success stories of other Asian footballing nations.
Japan, Asia’s highest-ranked country, serves as a model for league management and youth development. Its 100-year plan, initiated in 1992, has yielded significant results both domestically and internationally. This philosophy has influenced Asian nations like Vietnam and Thailand, with a noticeable exchange of players and coaches between them and Japan. Notably, Masatada Ishii, former head coach of J1 League side Kashima Antlers, now manages the Thai national team, helping them secure a knockout spot at the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar earlier this year.
Vietnam, despite having a league valued lower than the ISL, demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships. Their Memorandum of Understanding with Japan, signed in 2014, and their reliance on South Korean coaches with deep understanding of the region’s football culture have contributed to a remarkable rise in performance. Vietnam’s under-23 side finished as runner-up in the 2018 Asian Cup, won consecutive AFF Championship titles (2022, 2023), and clinched consecutive gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games (2019, 2021). Their senior team has also achieved notable success in the AFF Championship.
South Korea, with its well-established coaching culture, has played a crucial role in Vietnam’s football resurgence. Park Hang-seo, a former K1 League coach, became a legend in Vietnam, winning the 2019 and 2021 SEA Games with the under-23 side and the AFF Championship (2018) with the senior team. Other South Korean coaches like Shin Tae-yong (Indonesia) and Kim Pan-gon (Malaysia) have similarly transformed national teams.
Looking beyond Asia’s top performers, Australia and Uzbekistan offer valuable insights. Australia’s national team, the Socceroos, have successfully integrated players with foreign origins through their club system, highlighting the effectiveness of this strategy. Uzbekistan, on the other hand, has prioritized youth development, creating a strong pipeline of talent with a lower reliance on foreign players. Their focus on age-group competitions has yielded impressive results at the U-17, U-20, and U-23 levels, contributing to their national team’s recent success.
India’s journey to becoming a football powerhouse requires a multi-pronged approach. The ISL possesses the financial resources to drive development, but a strategic shift is necessary. Investing in youth development, creating a structured pathway for young players, and encouraging a culture of seeking international experience are critical steps. While lucrative salaries might seem attractive, prioritizing competitive football abroad will ultimately lead to a stronger national team and a more vibrant domestic league.
The ISL holds the potential to become more than just a league; it can be a catalyst for a footballing revolution in India. However, this transformation will require a shift in mindset, a commitment to strategic planning, and a willingness to embrace the best practices of successful Asian nations. The future of Indian football depends on it.
