Top Five Best Female Footballers of India in 2024

Football, as one of the most popular sports, enjoys an enormous viewership and an unwavering fan base in India. Although India made its breakthrough in the world of football decades back in the 1948 Summer Olympic Games held in London, football was predominantly considered to be a men’s game, and it was only in the last few decades that the sport has witnessed an active inclusion of Indian female footballers at an international stage.

Over the years, numerous legendary female football players, including Aditi Chauhan, Bala Devi, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Dalima Chhibber, Anju Tamang, Manisha Kalyan, Devi, Anju Yadav, Sasmika Malik and many more have established themselves as a formidable force in the arena of football and have represented India in various international female football tournaments and leagues. 

The India women’s national football team has clinched a total of five good medals at the SAFF Women’s Championship, a total of three gold medals at the Asian Games and a total of two silver medals and a bronze medal at the Women’s Asia Cup, highlighting their roaring dominance in the game across all highly-competitive formats.

In this article, we will take a look at the top five female footballers of India who are currently in talks for elevating the stature of the Indian women’s national football team at an international level. 

• Aditi Chauhan

The Indian professional football player who has aced her road as a goalkeeper for the national football women’s team of India is considered to be one of the finest female footballers to ever represent the country on an international stage. Aditi Chauhan was picked up by the national selectors for the Indian under-19 trials at the young age of 17. Proving her unwavering skill set and ability to conquer the football field, Aditi Chauhan played a pivotal role in assisting the Indian national women’s football team to a phenomenal triumph thrice at the 2012, 2016 and 2019 SAFF Women’s Championship which was held in Sri Lanka. Additionally, Aditi Chauhan was also a part of India’s champion squad that clinched gold medals twice at the South Asian Games in 2016 and 2019. Moreover, the pioneer of women’s football, Aditi Chauhan, was honoured with the Women in Football Award in 2015 at the prestigious Asian Football Awards.

• Sibani Devi

Sibani Devi’s stellar performance at the 2024 SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship makes her one of the most distinguished female footballers of the modern era at an international level. Sibani’s iconic hat-trick of goals and a fate-deciding tie-breaker goal against Bhutan served as the highlight of the tournament. With a phenomenal total of four goals, Sibani Devi concluded her 2024 SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship as the top goalscorer of the tournament, garnering massive attention and praise from critics and fans of the sport worldwide. Considering her bowling prowess and overall strength, Sibani Devi is considered by the fans and critics of the sport to be a reliable female footballer to represent India at the international female football tournaments in 2024 and subsequent years.

• Anushka Kumari 

Anushka Kuamri was another player who was majorly highlighted after the conclusion of the most recent 2024 SAFF U-16 Women’s Championship for her path-breaking goaling prowess and overall contributions to the team. With her impressive clutch performances in high-pressure situations, Anushka Kumari is regarded to be one of the most reliable players in the Indian women’s football team. Anushka Kumari destroyed the Bhutan defence on the field by smashing a stellar hat-trick against the opposition, leading India to a commanding win against Bhutan. With her memorable hat-trick knock against Bhutan, Anushka Kumari established herself as a footballer who can undoubtedly be trusted to fight bigger battles in professional football in the coming years.  

• Lointongbam Ashalata Devi

One of the finest defenders and captain of the Indian national women’s football team, Lointongbam Ashalata Devi is often revered as one of the most formidable defenders in Asia. Born in Imphal, Manipur, Lointongbam Ashalata Devi played her debut Under-17 match for the Indian football team in 2008 at the young age of 15. Later in 2011, the iconic footballer made her the senior Indian football team. Currently serving as the captain of the Indian women’s football squad, Lointongbam Ashalata Devi has led the team to phenomenal victory at the 2021 Olympic Games. Additionally, Devi was also a member of the Indian squad that clinched two gold medals at the 2016 and 2019 Asian Games. Moreover, Lointongbam Ashalata Devi played a crucial role in assisting the Indian women’s football team to a record-breaking four consecutive victories at the SAFF Women’s Championship in the years 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2019.

• Ngangom Bala Devi

Indian professional female footballer, Ngangom Bala Devi represents the Manipur police club and the national Indian women’s football team as a forward on the field. Hailing from Manipur, Bala Devi was passionate about playing football for her country since her childhood days. Bala Devi was also a part of the Under-19 championship of 2002 that took place in Assam. With the conclusion of the tournament, Bala Devi was acknowledged with the title of best player of the tournament. Additionally, the Manipur footballer also led the Indian national women’s team to phenomenal triumphs at the most prestigious SAFF Women’s Championship thrice in the years 2010, 2014 and 2016. Furthermore, Bala Devi played a pivotal role in assisting the Indian women’s football squad in clinching a phenomenal total of three gold medals at the Asian Games in the years 2010, 2016 and 2019.

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