# Top 5 players with the most goals for the Indian national football team URL: https://technosports.co.in/players-most-goals-for-indian-national-football/ Published: 2026-06-06 Updated: 2026-06-06 Author: Aliasgar Ayaz [Football](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football) is still a sport that is on the rise in India, with it still finding its feet among the public, though in recent times it has grown exponentially. The emergence of the **[Indian Super League](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Super_League)** (ISL) has had a big role to play in Indian football’s rise. What the country might need more now are footballing superstars who can pull youngsters into the game and inspire them. --- | No | Name | Goals for India | Appearances | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **1** | **[Sunil Chhetri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunil_Chhetri)** | **93** | **145** | | **2** | **[IM Vijayan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I._M._Vijayan)** | **29** | **68** | | **3** | **[Bhaichung Bhutia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaichung_Bhutia)** | **27** | **82** | | **4** | **[Jeje Lalpekhlua](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeje_Lalpekhlua)** | **23** | **56** | | **5** | **[Shabbir Ali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Ali_Shabbir)** | **23** | **72** | --- ## **Let’s** **explore the top 5 players with the most goals for the Indian national football team**– ### **1. Sunil Chhetri ** **Goals: 94 goals** **Appearances: 151** **Years Active: 2005 – 2024** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Sunil-Chhetri-.webp) ***Sunil Chhetri *** The current captain of the Indian national team, [Sunil Chhetri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunil_Chhetri), also captains his ISL side [Bengaluru FC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengaluru_FC). An inspiration for every young footballer at this time, Chhetri is arguably the biggest football superstar to come from India. A lethal finisher, he has already netted 93 goals in 143 games and will definitely add more to his tally in the near future. He is also the most-capped Indian player. Born in Secunderabad, Chhetri is second on the list of the highest number of goals scored in international matches among active male players after [Cristiano Ronaldo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristiano_Ronaldo) and fourth on the all-time list. Coming from a country like [India, which is currently the 100th-ranked FIFA nation](https://technosports.co.in/india-climb-up-100-latest-fifa-world-rankings/), is a huge achievement in itself. ### **2. IM Vijayan ** **Goals: 29** **Appearances: 68** **Years Active: 1989-2006** ![I.M.Vijayan](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/IMVijayan-7a392e701333e616e35802563e4bf8d7.jpg) ***I.M.Vijayan | Shaun Botterill/Getty Images*** Inivalappil Mani Vijayan, affectionately known as Kalo Harin (Black Buck), is a true football legend from India. Renowned for his exceptional skills, he captained the national team and was a prolific striker, netting an impressive 29 goals in 66 appearances. His contributions to Indian football have cemented his status as one of the country’s finest players. [IM Vijayan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I._M._Vijayan) formed a successful attacking partnership with a player just next on our list,[Bhaichung Bhutia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaichung_Bhutia), for the Indian national team in the late nineties and early 2000s. The 51-year-old won the [AIFF](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_India_Football_Federation) Player of the Year award thrice (1993, 1997, and 1999), while also being bestowed with the[Arjuna Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arjuna_Award)in 2003. Such a talented player in his prime that he attracted interest from the clubs in Malaysia and Thailand, although he spent his entire career in India until retirement. Since retiring from international football, Vijayan has set up a football academy to train young players in his hometown in Kerala. ### **3. Bhaichung Bhutia ** **Goals: 27** **Appearances: 82** **Years Active: 1995-2011** ![India's Bhaichung Bhutia celebrates goa](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/Indias-Bhaichung-Bhutia--celebrates-goa-53da10aff23ab49ad5b8229c7f60fc91.jpg) ***Bhaichung Bhutia*** Born in Tinkitam, Sikkim in 1976, [Bhaichung Bhutia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhaichung_Bhutia) was described by IM Vijayan as “God’s gift to Indian Football”. Bhutia can be described as India’s first football superstar, earning immense respect and accolades for his hard work in Indian football. The 44-year-old won numerous honours during his career including two AIFF Player of the Year awards, the 1998 Arjuna Award, and the 2008 Padma Shri. Bhutia has many Indian football records to his name including when he joined English[club Bury](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bury_F.C.) in 1999, he became the first Indian footballer to sign a contract with a European club and only the second to play professionally in Europe. His achievements with the national team include the Nehru Cup, LG Cup, SAFF Championship three times, and the AFC Challenge Cup. One of the most memorable moments of his career came after his retirement, when the India national team played a farewell match for him on 10 January 2012 against a star-studded Bayern Munich side at the [Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jawaharlal_Nehru_Stadium_(Delhi)), Delhi. ### **4. Jeje Lalpekhlua ** **Goals: 23** **Appearances: 56** **Years Active: 2011 – Present** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/jeje-lalpekhlua-chennaiyin-jamshedpur_1vjr0sswhnj5w1jytq71bv4ryz-1024x683.jpg) ***Jeje Lalpekhlua** **India v Bahrain – AFC Asian Cup Group A | Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images*** [Jeje Lalpekhlua](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeje_Lalpekhlua) is one of the unsung heroes of the Indian national football team. He has been a huge influence in many victories including India’s 2011 and 2015 SAFF Cup wins but his name has never come up as a superstar footballer. He has fallen out of favour late in the national team, however, he has scored 23 goals so far and at 30 years old, he still has time to add to his tally.  Jeje ranks as the ISL’s second-highest Indian goalscorer since the league began. He achieved a remarkable 2015 double, winning the I-League with Mohun Bagan and ISL with Chennaiyin FC, earning him FPAI Football Player of the Year. As he nears the end of his career, his future remains intriguing to watch. ### **5. Shabbir Ali ** **Goals: 23** **Appearances: 72** **Years Active: 1974-1984** ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/shabbir-ali-1024x555.webp) ***Shabbir Ali *** Prolific at both international and club level, [Shabbir Ali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabbir_Ali)was widely hailed as the best Indian footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. The 65-year-old, who currently manages Southern Samity (a Calcutta Football League Premier Division A club), scored 23 goals during his career. Post-retirement, he has managed some top I-League clubs including Churchill Brothers and [Mohammedan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammedan_SC_(Kolkata)).  In 2011, Ali was awarded India’s highest sporting honour, the [Dhyan Chand Award](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhyan_Chand_Award) – becoming the only footballer to do so. ## ***FAQ*** ### Which player has the most goals for the Indian national football team? **Sunil Chhetri **has contributed the most goals to the Indian National Team. --- **Read:** **[Top 5 football players with the most international wins in history](https://technosports.co.in/top-5-player-most-international-wins/)** [**Top 10 Premier League goalkeepers with the most clean sheets**](https://technosports.co.in/top-10-premier-league-keeper-most-clean-sheets/) [**Top 10 Biggest Football Stadiums in India in 2024**](https://technosports.co.in/top-10-football-stadiums-india-2022/)