Top 5 Highest Goal Scorers in ISL History: Legends of the Indian Super League

The Indian Super League (ISL) has evolved into a premier football competition, improving in terms of quality, attracting top talent, and providing non-stop entertainment. Over its seven editions, many incredible players have graced the pitch, with some emerging as the highest goal scorers in the league’s history.

While Indian footballers have made a massive impact, foreign players have also left their mark, becoming fan favorites and leading their teams to success. This article looks at the top five all-time highest goal scorers in ISL history, players whose performances have lit up stadiums and broken records.

Top 5 Highest Goal Scorers in ISL History

5. Lallianzuala Chhangte – 40 Goals

Lallianzuala Chhangte is one of India’s rising football stars and the second Indian to make it into the top five highest goal scorers in ISL history. Known for his explosive pace and technical prowess, Chhangte has flourished since joining Mumbai City FC from Chennaiyin FC. Although it took him some time to adjust, the “Mizo Flash” has been unstoppable in the past two seasons. During the 2022-23 season, Chhangte contributed 16 goals, and in the 2023-24 season, he added 13 more to his tally.

His consistent performances were instrumental in helping Mumbai City FC secure the League Winners’ Shield in 2023 and the ISL Trophy in 2024. As of the 2024-25 season, Chhangte has racked up 40 goals in ISL, establishing himself as one of India’s most lethal attackers. His contributions earned him the AIFF Men’s Player of the Year for the 2023-24 season, cementing his place among the league’s elite.

4. Ferran Corominas – 48 Goals

Spanish forward Ferran Corominas, affectionately known as “Coro,” is fourth on the list with an incredible 48 goals in ISL. Coro made an unforgettable debut in the 2017-18 season for FC Goa, netting 18 goals in 20 games, which won him the Golden Boot. His follow-up season in 2018-19 was just as impressive, where he scored 16 goals, earning his second consecutive Golden Boot.

With 48 goals in just 57 games, Corominas set the standard for efficiency and consistency. He also contributed 16 assists, making him one of the league’s most productive players during his time in India. Coro’s final season in the ISL saw him score 14 goals before departing FC Goa in 2020 to join Atlético Baleares in Spain. For several years, he held the record as ISL’s all-time highest scorer before being surpassed by Bartholomew Ogbeche in January 2022.

3. Roy Krishna – 58 Goals

Fijian striker Roy Krishna takes the third spot with 58 goals, making him one of the ISL’s most prolific forwards. After joining ATK in the 2019-20 season, Krishna quickly became a fan favorite due to his lightning-fast pace and incredible finishing ability. Krishna’s impact was immediate, as he led ATK to a league title in his debut season, scoring 15 goals. His form continued into the next season with ATK Mohun Bagan, where he found the net 14 times, guiding his team to the ISL final.

Despite a slight dip in form during his stint with Bengaluru FC, Krishna returned to his best with Odisha FC, where he scored 13 goals during the 2023-24 season and added one goal in the ongoing campaign. Krishna’s clinical ability to score in crucial moments, including several match-winners, has made him a household name in Indian football.

2. Bartholomew Ogbeche – 63 Goals

Bartholomew Ogbeche, known as “Big Bart,” is a joint all-time leading goal scorer in the ISL with 63 goals, a record he shares with Sunil Chhetri. The Nigerian forward, who retired in 2023, left an indelible mark on the ISL with his scoring prowess. Ogbeche began his ISL journey in 2018-19 with NorthEast United, where he scored 12 goals in his debut season. His lethal finishing and physical presence made him a formidable forward, and he continued his brilliant form with Kerala Blasters the following season, scoring 15 goals in just 16 games.

In 2020-21, Ogbeche joined Mumbai City FC on loan, helping them win their first ISL title. His journey continued with Hyderabad FC, where his 18 goals in the 2021-22 season earned him the Golden Boot and led Hyderabad to their maiden ISL trophy. By the time he retired in 2023, Ogbeche had cemented his place as one of the most clinical strikers to have ever graced the ISL.

1. Sunil Chhetri – 63 Goals

Indian football’s most celebrated figure, Sunil Chhetri, recently etched his name as the joint all-time highest scorer in ISL history alongside Bartholomew Ogbeche, with 63 goals. Chhetri has been an ever-present figure in the ISL since 2016, first playing for Mumbai City FC before returning to Bengaluru FC, where he has become synonymous with success.

The Bengaluru FC captain has continuously shown his class and leadership, with his latest brace against Hyderabad FC on September 19, 2024, taking him to the top of the scoring charts. Chhetri’s longevity, work ethic, and knack for scoring in crucial moments have made him an icon not only in Indian football but in the ISL as well. With over 150 appearances in the league, Chhetri remains a key figure for Bengaluru FC, and as the highest active goal-scorer, he continues to lead by example.

The ISL has been graced by a host of incredible goal-scorers who have lit up the competition with their brilliance. From Sunil Chhetri’s enduring legacy to Bartholomew Ogbeche’s ruthless efficiency and Roy Krishna’s explosive form, these players have shaped the league’s history. As the ISL continues to grow, new talents like Lallianzuala Chhangte are rising to the occasion, ensuring that the excitement and goal-scoring feats will carry on for years to come.

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