28-year old Sandesh Jhinghan won the title of the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Indian Men’s Footballer of the Year 2020-21 Know all about the centre-back’s big win
Sandesh Jhinghan won the prestigious AIFF Men’s player of the Year award whereas midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam, (20), was named as the winner of the AIFF Men’s Emerging Player of the Year Award 2020-21.
AIFF Awards: Sandesh Jhinghan Named Indian Footballer Of The Year For 2021
Having already won the Emerging Player of the Year Award in 2014, Sandesh is absolutely delighted to be bestowed with such an honour. Voted by the ISL club coaches, it is the first time that he has won the Player of the Year Award.
He expressed his joy saying, “Being voted by the ISL club coaches and the I-League as the AIFF Men’s Player of the Year 2020-21 is a huge honour for me.”
“A big thank you to AIFF, my family, my teammates, support staff and all my caches both at the club level and at the national level for keeping their belief in me.” Jhingan said.
Jhinghan debuted with the senior national team back in 2015 in Guwahati and since then, he went on to make a total of 40 appearances and scored 4 goals for the Blue Tigers. He played a crucial part in helping India lift the Intercontinetal Cup in 2018 and also put on a great show in the game against Qatar in 2019, which ended in a draw at the home of the Asian Champions.
Sandesh Jhinghan, Career, Awards, Achievements, ISL Club And Important Accolades
The Chandigarh-born star was also the recipient of the distinguished Arjuna Award in 2020, for his excellent achievement in sports. Sandesh now has expertise in captaincy as well, having captained the senior team on five occasions, the most recent being the international friendly against Oman in Dubai in March.
Jhingan became the highest valued player in India last year when he signed a 5-year deal with Atk Mohun Bagan. Before that, he was playing for Kerala Blasters where he featured in a total of 76 matches. His current net worth stands at Rs. 20.83m.
Sandesh had a great ISL 2020-21 season with ATK MB, where he partnered with his Spanish teammate Tiri and helped the Kolkata side keep 10 clean sheets in 22 matces, and even secure a place in the final which they however lost to Mumbai FC.
He will look to make a comeback this season after picking up an injury last season after colliding with fellow goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya against Hyderabad FC.