Indian Football's #10YearChallenge - How did these ISL and I-League legends look 10 years ago?
#10YearChallenge is the latest social media viral movement where an individual has to upload their current picture and that taken ten years ago. While some people show drastic changes in their facial features, others rarely display any difference.
As of this writing, the ISL and I-League stars haven't disclosed their pictures. But, don't worry. We have covered that for you. Here is how they looked 10 years ago and transformed.
#10 Steve Coppell
Ten years ago, Steve Coppell was managing Reading F.C in the English Championship, where the club finished fourth in the points table. In the ensuing playoffs, they lost 0-3 to Burnley and saw their dreams of playing in the Premier League shattered.
Now, the Englishman finds himself managing ATK, where the club is sitting in the sixth place in the points table. Always serious and rarely giving a smile, Steve Coppell always looked worrisome which can be expounded by comparing the two pictures.
#9 Sunil Chhetri
India's talisman Sunil Chhetri is always fit and raring to hone his skills whether playing for Kansas City Wizards, Bengaluru FC, or the Indian football team. It is surprising to note that even ten years later, he remains one of the fittest players in India, having aged like fine wine.
Sunil Chhetri has already overtaken Lionel Messi in the list of international goalscorers and next up for him is West Germany's legendary Gerd Muller and Scotland's Robbie Keane.
#8 Jeje Lalpekhlua
Jeje Lalpekhlua is having an abysmal season with Chennaiyin FC where he is yet to score with the defending champions who are languishing in the bottom of the table. However, ten years ago he was plying his trade with Pune FC, having graduated from their academy only a year ago.
Pune FC gained promotion to the I-League by finishing fourth pipping ONGC FC in the final round. The next year, he would represent India in the Asian Games, thereby cementing his place in the national setup.
#7 Subrata Pal
Two years before pulling off back-to-back saves against Australia, Bahrain, and South Korea in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Subrata Pal was plying his trade with East Bengal in the I-League. The Spiderman was the first choice goalkeeper of the Red and Golds in the 2008-09 season but managed to keep only four clean sheets.
This season, he is plying his trade with Jamshedpur FC and is one of the goalkeepers to watch out for.
#6 Bhaichung Bhutia
Bhaichung Bhutia hung up his international footballing boots on January 10, 2012 after his farewell match against Bayern Munich. But, three years ago in the 2008-09 season, he was in full swing with Mohun Bagan as he found the back of the net six times.
In 2009, he played five times for India and scored against Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, and Sri Lanka. The legend is the founder of Bhaichung Bhutia Football School which participates continuously in the U-18 I-League.
#5 Ferran Corominas
In 2009, Ferran Corominas was plying his trade with Espanyol in the La Liga rubbing shoulders with the likes of Andres Iniesta. Little did he know that he would find his way to India and pass on his vital learnings to the youngsters in the country.
Coro has already leveled Ian Hume as the all-time top goalscorer in ISL history and should overtake him on 28th January when FC Goa cross swords with Jamshedpur FC.
#4 Gouramangi Singh
Before India had Sandesh Jhingan bailing out the defence in crunch situations with last-ditch defending, they had Gouramangi Singh. In 2009, he was representing Churchill Brothers in the I-League as a centre-back.
His tall height meant he was always a threat in set-pieces and he scored a lot of goals by nodding the ball in. Gouramangi played for NEROCA last season in the I-League and is without a club this season.
#3 Miku
In 2009, Bengaluru FC target man and lethal striker Miku was playing for UD Salamanca in the La Liga second division. As one can see in the two pictures, he was surrounded by bodies then and now as they know how lethal he can be when not kept in check.
#2 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
In 2009, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was honing his skills in the St Stephens FA to be India's next rising goalkeeper. Ten years later, he produced fine saves against Bahrain in the AFC Asian Cup but eventually succumbed to a late penalty.
#1 Renedy Singh
Renedy Singh might be the most discredited Indian footballer in the history. Playing in the same era as that of IM Vijayan and Bhaichung Bhutia, the Manipuri midfielder donned East Bengal's colours in 2009 and struck a formidable partnership with Bhaichung Bhutia up front.
Currently, he is a commentator of I-League matches and is an occasional guest on 'Football United' which airs on Star Sports.