Indian footballers are breaking into European leagues by leveraging youth academies, international trials and overseas club partnerships and Portugal could be their next gateway because its football ecosystem values technical skill, affordable contracts and untapped markets.
Indian football players often face challenges in adapting to European pace and tactical systems, but Portugal’s clubs invest in developing raw potential, offering a bridge into bigger leagues like Spain or England. The nation’s openness to emerging football economies makes it an attractive destination for Indian talent, as both federations and scouts see long-term commercial and sporting value in these exchanges.
Why are Indian footballers eyeing Europe in 2025?
Indian footballers are eyeing Europe in 2025 because European leagues provide higher coaching quality, tougher competition and better visibility. European academies train players under intense tactical systems that push athletes to refine both technical skills and mental resilience. Indian players who aspire to international recognition cannot rely only on the Indian Super League (ISL), even though the ISL continues to raise domestic standards.
Europe offers realistic stepping stones in countries such as Portugal, Norway, Greece and Slovenia. These leagues provide more accessible entry points compared to elite leagues in England, Spain or Germany. Indian athletes now see Europe not only as a dream destination but as a practical pathway toward growth, contracts and global exposure.
Which Indian or Indian-origin players are currently active or have trained in Europe?
Find below a list of Indian or Indian-origin players who are currently active in Europe.
- Som Kumar - Goalkeeper for NK Radomlje (Slovenia PrvaLiga). Som Kumar represents India in Slovenia’s top division, where his presence highlights the opportunity for young Indian talent to enter first-tier European football. His goalkeeping role gives him exposure to high-tempo matches in a competitive setting.
- Manisha Kalyan - Forward for PAOK Women (Greece). Manisha Kalyan made history by signing with PAOK Women, one of Greece’s strongest clubs. She competes in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, which gives Indian women’s football unprecedented international visibility.
- Kabir Nath - Midfielder active in Andorra and Spanish lower leagues. Kabir Nath continues to gain match time across smaller European leagues. His development pathway shows how Indian-origin players explore diverse football ecosystems beyond top-tier nations.
- Sarpreet Singh - Indian-origin midfielder from New Zealand. Sarpreet Singh trained with Bayern Munich II and now plays in the 2. Bundesliga. Though raised in New Zealand, his Indian roots inspire many aspiring footballers in India.
- Ishan Pandita - Spanish-trained striker. Ishan Pandita spent developmental years in Spain with CD Leganés B and Gimnàstic de Tarragona. His training in structured European environments shaped his attacking instincts and gave him technical refinement rare in India.
Find below a list of Indian or Indian-origin players who have trained or trialled in Europe.
- Dheeraj Singh - Goalkeeper with a Marbella FC stint. Dheeraj Singh trained briefly in Spain with Marbella FC. His time abroad improved his shot-stopping techniques and gave him insight into European goalkeeper standards.
- Sahil Tavora - Midfielder who trained at GD Estoril Praia’s youth academy (Portugal). Sahil Tavora gained technical exposure in Portugal, which is a region now emerging as a consistent gateway for Indian players.
- Brandon Fernandes - Midfielder with Portuguese training background. Brandon Fernandes sharpened his skills through Portuguese academy links via ASD Cape Town pathways. His creative midfield play reflects the technical influence of European coaching.
- Sunil Chhetri - India’s captain with Sporting CP B. Sunil Chhetri briefly signed with Sporting CP’s reserve team in Portugal. His time abroad, though limited, set an early example of Indian players seeking professional exposure in Europe.
- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu - Goalkeeper with Stabaek FC (Norway). Gurpreet Singh Sandhu became the first Indian to play in a top-tier European league when he joined Stabaek FC in Norway from 2014 to 2017. His European tenure gave him credibility as India’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Why is Portugal an ideal gateway for Indian talent?
Find below a list of reasons why Portugal is an ideal gateway for Indian footballers.
- League structure. The league structure in Portugal is the ideal gateway for Indian footballers because the league structure provides easier entry points than major Western European nations. Portuguese football focuses on technical skill development, tactical education and disciplined youth systems. Indian players benefit from a system that prioritises technical mastery rather than physical dominance alone.
- Academy development. Academy development in Portugal produces world-class players despite modest budgets. Their reliance on structured development and strong scouting networks creates openings for emerging markets. For Indian athletes, Portugal’s lower divisions and reserve squads present achievable starting points that can grow into higher contracts.
- Historical and cultural connections. Historical and cultural connections add another advantage. Goa’s Portuguese heritage maintains cultural familiarity, which helps Indian players adjust to new environments. Portuguese clubs are also more open to international trainees from non-traditional markets, providing both a cultural bridge and a footballing launchpad.
What challenges do Indian players face in Europe?
Indian footballers face several challenges when entering European leagues - work permit complexities remain a barrier, since India’s low FIFA ranking makes international transfers difficult. European clubs often hesitate to sign players who may struggle with regulatory approval.
Another challenge is cultural and dietary adjustment. Athletes raised in Indian systems often need to adapt to new food, climates and social norms. Tactical and physical expectations in Europe exceed those in India, which demands higher stamina, positional discipline and technical precision.
Youth-level exposure remains limited, which reduces scouting interest. European clubs usually sign teenagers who already have international caps at junior levels. Indian players who lack that early exposure face uphill battles even if their talent is visible. The combination of administrative, cultural and performance-based challenges explains why only a small number of Indians currently compete in Europe.
How are Indian fans following these players abroad?
Indian fans follow footballers abroad through digital platforms that provide live stats, highlights and fantasy game updates. Social media connects supporters directly to athletes, which keeps interest alive even when coverage is minimal in mainstream sports channels.
With growing interest in Indian players overseas, fans are also turning to real-time prediction platforms like the official BETVIBE sportsbook online to stay engaged with global football action — from match stats to live insights — across continents. BETVIBE is licensed by the Government of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan under licence number ALSI-202411057-F12 and its sportsbook covers ≈50 sports with football as a core focus. Indian bettors access deep football markets including the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the Indian Super League, with live betting, competitive margins and INR-friendly deposits
What’s the long-term outlook for Indian footballers in Europe?
The long-term outlook for Indian footballers in Europe is positive but gradual. Indian Super League clubs continue to expand scouting links with European academies. Partnerships and training camps in Portugal already give Indian youth regular exposure to European football environments.
Dual citizenship pathways and early trials abroad are becoming more common among Indian-origin players. Families who settle overseas create opportunities for players to join youth setups earlier than in India. That trend increases the number of Indian names surfacing in European club rosters.
Portugal will remain a primary launchpad for Indian talent. Technical coaching, cultural familiarity and accessible entry-level leagues align well with India’s football development needs. As India’s domestic infrastructure matures and scouting networks expand, more Indian footballers will use Europe as a stage for growth. The vision of Indian players competing regularly across European leagues is moving from ambition toward reality.
