10 Biggest Football Stars Who Have Played in ISL

Indian Super League since its beginning has brought some of the biggest football stars to India to bring the glamour, flair and footballing knowledge to the country. In the past, we have seen legends like Diego Forlan, Roberto Carlos and Alessandro Del Piero playing for different ISL teams which have helped Indian youngsters a lot and made the league more popular in the country. Here are the top 10 biggest football stars who have played in ISL.

1. Diego Forlan | Mumbai City FC, 2016

The Uruguayan legend, who won the Golden Ball in the FIFA World Cup in 2010, played for the Islanders in the 2016 season. Mumbai City FC brought him to India as a marquee player. 

Forlan scored 5 goals in that season while providing 2 assists for his teammates and led Mumbai City FC to their first-ever qualification to the semifinals.  

2. Roberto Carlos, Delhi Dynamos FC, 2015

The legendary Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil. The former Real Madrid man joined Delhi Dynamos FC in 2015 as a player-cum-manager. 

Despite making 3 appearances on the pitch, he was not very impactful. As a manager, he led the Dynamos to their first qualification to the semis. 

3. Florent Malouda | Delhi Dynamos FC, 2015 and 2016

Former French international and Chelsea superstar Florent Malouda signed for Delhi Dynamos FC in 2015. He registered 5 assists in 16 appearances in his first season. 

Malouda was Dynamos' talisman in the 2016 season and played a crucial part in leading them into the semis with 3 goals and 3 assists.

4. Marco Materazzi | Chennaiyin FC, 2014

2006 FIFA World Cup winner, Italian defender Marco Materazzi played for Chennaiyin FC in 2014. He was also the manager of the team, both in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. 

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Though he only played 7 matches in Chennaiyin colours, Materazzi led Chennaiyin to win their first Indian Super League title in 2015 as a manager. 

5. Alessandro Del Piero | Delhi Dynamos FC, 2014

The 2006 FIFA World Cup winner with Italy and a legendary figure for Juventus came to India to play one season before he hang up his boots. Alessandro Del Piero featured for Delhi Dynamos FC in the 2014 season and scored only once while providing one assist. 

This one-season stint was his last as he retired in 2015. 

6. Luis Garcia | Atletico De Kolkata, 2014

Luis Garcia was a starter for Liverpool FC against AC Milan in the 2004-05 UEFA Champions League final, famously known as the "Miracle of Istanbul". He joined Atletico De Kolkata in 2014 season as the marquee player.

Garcia captained his team in their campaign to win the inaugural Indian Super League championship in 2014. He managed to register 2 goals and 2 assists. 

7. Robert Pires | FC Goa, 2014

Robert Pires was a part of Arsene Wenger's legendary Arsenal squad that earned the tag 'Invincibles' for their unbeaten Premier League run in 2003-'04 season. Robert Pires also won 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 representing France. 

Read Also | The Invincibles: 8 times a football team won their league undefeated

Robert Pires had 8 appearences for The Gaurs, and scored only one goal. Pires could not make a big impact for FC Goa. 

8. Dimitar Berbatov | Kerala Blasters FC, 2017-'18

The former Bulgarian International is mostly remembered as a Manchester United legend. Dimitar Berbatov played four years donning Manchester United colours and won 2 Premier League titles. 

Kerala Blasters welcomed Berbatov in 2017 and he played only 9 matches. Berbatov could not make a big difference for the tuskers as he only scoreed 1 goal. This was his short but last stint before retiring in 2018. 

9. Asamoah Gyan | NorthEast United FC, 2019-'20

Considered as one of the greatest Ghanaian footballer, Asamoah Gyan has 6 goals and 3 assists in 11 appearences for Ghana across 3 World Cup tournaments. One can certainly remember his penalty miss against Uruguay in 2010 FIFA World Cup, which led Ghana to be disqualified from Quarter-finals. 

Asamoah Gyan joined NorthEast United FC in 2019 and registered 4 goals and 1 assist in 8 appearences for the Highlanders.  

10. David Trezeguet | FC Pune City, 2014

The former French striker David Trezeguet is appreciated as one of the finest forwards Juventus have ever had. Trezeguet won 1998 FIFA World Cup with France. His extra-time winner in 2000 UEFA European Championship final helped France to beat Italy and lift the trophy. 

Trezeguet joined FC Pune City in 2014 as their marquee player, but scored only 2 goals in 9 matches. He retired in 2015 after his spell in India. 

Honourable Mentions