Who are the top richest Indian footballers?
You can only love or loath footballers as there’s no getting away from the fact that they earn big. From huge contract deals to sponsorship deals, they are among the world’s most marketable athletes and you’ve got them sitting on fortunes worth tens of millions, or even more.
Given the popularity of the game, Indian footballers may not be well-revered as much as other players across the world but they’ve been able to carve a name for themselves while playing in their country.
You probably must have come across articles about the richest footballers in the world but how often did you hear about the richest footballers in India?
Let’s see the top 10 Richest Indian Footballers
- Arata Izumi – ( Retired )
In 2007, Izumi signed for Mahindra United of the I-League, which had replaced the former National Football League. He started the 2007-08 I-League campaign with an injury that kept him from playing football for six months.
He managed to come back that same season, scoring 1 goal and getting 2 assists in 8 games. The following season, Izumi had scored 1 goal and had 5 assists in 16 I-League games.
- Robin Singh – (Roundglass Punjab)
The Noida born started playing cricket and football at the age of 9, playing in many youth tournaments. However, at the age of 13, he decided to opt for football instead of cricket which eventually proved to be the right decision for Singh.
He enjoyed huge support from his parents which makes it possible for him to succeed as a professional player having played for quite a number of clubs in the India Super League for teams such as Goa FC, East Bengal, and Bengaluru.
Singh is a decent winger with a nibble and brilliant feet on the ball. He joined Tata Football Academy after leaving Chandigarh where he was converted into a striker and since then he’s been one of the most lethal goalscorers in the Indian Super League.
READ ALSO | 10 Richest Club Owners In World Football 2021
- Jackcihand Singh – (East Bengal)
Jackcihand is an Indian footballer who started his career with Royal Washington in the Indian Super League II in 2009, scoring a goal in his debut, and also went on to use six years at the club before moving on to continue his career with another team.
The Manipur-born winger played for quite a number of teams in the ISL, but with his current club East Bengal which he joined on loan from Mumbai City he’s yet to hit the ground running this season.
The 29 years old may not be playing his football in some of the topflight leagues in the world, playing his club football in his native country and being amongst the best in the league, he also ranks number 9th richest in Indian football.
- Anas Edathodika – (Jamshedpur)
Former India international Feroz Sherif must have been so proud and fulfilled that he’s responsible for discovering arguably Indian best center-back Edathodika who played as a defender for Jamshedpur.
Edathodika is regarded as an amazing center-back who could stand toe-to-toe with some of Europe’s decent defenders which is a pointer to how good he is.
The Indian Super League veteran net worth ranks him 8th amongst the richest Indian footballers both in the league and the country and even at his old age, the Jamshedpur defender is still playing at the highest level in the league.
- Seityasen Singh – (Kerala Blasters)
Another Singh on this list is Seityasen Singh, who also plies his trade in the Indian Super League with Kerala Blasters as a winger. The talented winger is likened to Dutch winger Robben due to his pace and trickery on the ball.
Seityasen was auctioned to play for Northeast United in the 2015 Indian Super League representing Northeast club where he won four different players of the match awards plus a call-up opportunity that enables him to play for the Indian national team.
In 2020, Seityasen extended his contract with Kerala Blasters till 2022 which was the right decision to tie down one of their best player in the team who has been quite consistent.
- Karanjit Singh – (Chennai City)
Karanjit Singh who was an Indian Super League champion with Chennaiyin FC both in 2015 and 2018 also makes this list as one of the richest Indian footballers to play the round leather game.
The veteran goalkeeper has been around for a long time in the ISL playing for some of the best Indian leagues, and he was also well revered for his role in helping his country win the SAFF Cup in 2011 when they defeated Afghanistan in the final.
At 34, Singh is still going on strong in between the stick for his club no wonder he makes the list as one of the wealthiest Indian footballers in world football.
READ ALSO | Manchester United Players’ Salaries (Wages) 2020-21
- Eugeneson Lyngdoh – (East Bengal)
Getting a degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering would have been a great achievement for Lyngdoh but unfortunately, he couldn’t pursue the degree and he abandoned it in other to focus on football.
In 2015 he created a serious buzz around the country when he was signed by Pune City for the most expensive fee a club has ever paid for a player in the league worth $214,431.
During that period, Pune City’s manager was of the opinion that Lyngdoh was worth every penny used in signing him because of his versatility and the ability to carry the team as a leader.
- Rino Anto – (Roundglass Punjab)
Anto is a seasoned winner who has won quite a number of titles all through his playing career in the Indian Super League. He won the National Football League II in 2006 for Tata Football Academy while in 2010 he won three titles for Mohun Bagan.
The 33-year-old triumphant successes didn’t end with those two clubs, he also achieved commendable feats with Salagaocar winning the I-League in 2011 and Federation Cup in 2012. At Bengaluru where he had the best time of his career, he racked up six titles and was a runner-up in 2016 in the AFC Cup competition.
If you’re looking for one of the best right-backs in the league then Anto is your go-to man, due to his pace and agility to bump forward and also trackback when defending.
- Thoi Singh – (Chennaiyin)
Thoi is an amazing player with great stamina, tenacity, and sheer capability to carry his team on his shoulder when it’s necessary for him to. He began his career representing his state club Manipur in the Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy.
In 2006, he signed his first professional contract with a Chennai-based club to represent them in the I-League second division before moving to join other top teams in the Super League.
He also set a record for himself as the third most expensive player behind Sunil Chhetri and Lyngdoh in 2015 when he was signed for $8.6m during the Indian Super League auction, and one unique thing about him is that he could play as a winger or midfielder.
- Sunil Chhetri – (Bengaluru)
Chhetri is arguably the finest player the Indian Super League has ever seen play the round leather game, no wonder his record as the most expensive player signed by an Indian club is still standing.
In 2008 a report has it that Chhetri is closer to joining a top premier league side but in the end his dream move away from the Indian Super League to play in England couldn’t be materialized and since then he’s been plying his trade in India.
Chhetri isn’t just the Indian richest footballer he also doubled as one of the most popular athletes in the country who uses his influence as a popular figure to grow the league with his ability and charisma to draw the fans to the stadium.
