The 23-year-old ATK Mohun Bagan forward Liston Colaco recently won the PFA India Player of the Year 2022 award.
Liston Colaco joined the Kolkata-based club ATK Mohun Bagan in 2021 after Hyderabad FC released him for a transfer fee of almost INR 95 lakh. Colaco emerged as one of the best Indian players in the ISL 2021/22 where ATKMB finished as the semifinalists.
Liston Colaco deserves PFA India Player of the Year 2022
Colaco officially recorded eight goals and four assists in 22 appearances in the ISL 2021/22. He finished that competition as the most goal-scoring Indian and second most assist-providing Indian.
Also, in the ongoing AFC Cup 2022 season, Colaco is on top of the list of most goals in the competition with four goals, including a hat-trick against Bashundhara Kings.
In the recently concluded 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qualification, Colaco continued his strong performances in the national team jersey.
In short, Colaco is now in flying form as a forward. The youngster is improving consistently, as he can strongly serve as a centre-forward, winger or attacking midfielder. As a goal-scorer or key attacking supporter, Colaco is excellent in both duties. So, there is no doubt about the PFA India Player of the Year 2022 award.
Liston Colaco’s early career
Goan Davorlim-born Liston Colaco started to perform impressively in his youth career. He was the leading goal-scorer in the 2016/17 I-League U18, where the Salgaocar footballer scored 16 goals.
While Salgaocar won the 2016/17 Goa Professional League, Colaco finished as the joint-leading goal-scorer with eight goals. He also played important roles for the runners-up Goa in the 2016/17 Santosh Trophy, where he scored three goals in the main competition, including a brace in the semi-final against Kerala.
In April 2017, the FC Goa reserve side signed Colaco for the I-League 2nd division. Soon, he got the opportunity for the senior FC Goa team in the ISL 2017/18. However, in his three seasons for FC Goa, Colacco got only a few chances, majorly as a late substitute player.
In January 2020, Colaco joined Hyderabad FC. He played improving football for the Nizams. In his 23 appearances for Hyderabad FC in a one-and-a-half season, the Indian youngster scored four goals along with three assists.
Liston Colaco’s present and future
In ATK Mohun Bagan, Colaco easily became a regular starter with consistent improvement. His current contract with the Kolkata-based club will run in May 2023.
Since his debut for the Indian national football team in March 2021, Colaco has played 12 games for the national team, including seven starts.
Liston Colaco is now becoming a top asset for his team. While the ATKMB will be desperate to go with him for a longer period, the other clubs will now have to spend a lucrative amount to sign the Indian youngster.
