'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s football without fans? The great success of the Indian Super League is down to the large number of fans it is drawing to the stadiums, along with people watching at home on their TV sets, an unknown phenomenon in Indian football.For any league or club in their initial stages, it is imperative to work on building a network of fans and increasing fan engagement to build strong loyalty. With stadium attendances of about 1.58 million, the 4th largest attended league in the world and TV viewership of over 127 million, the first season definitely made a good impression.One of the major factors behind it is the presence of star figures, who are continuously attracting crowds to the stadium and forcing people to switch on their television sets. While a few players are being liked by the crowds, some are getting a lot of adoration and adulation from the fans and are becoming crowd favourites.Here are the top 5 crowd favourites from this edition of the ISL:
#1 Roberto Carlos
One of the biggest names in world football and definitely the biggest in the Indian Super League, Roberto Carlos is a notch above his peers in the league in terms of stature. With great pedigree, Carlos is definitely the biggest crowd puller and the most popular player in the league.
Not just in the capital, people around the country have been excited and enthralled by the arrival of the Brazilian legend. Though he hasn’t been playing in all the matches, his presence adds a lot to the Delhi team and his name is a very big attraction and helps in getting people to the stadium.
The Dynamos Ultras have been very vocal in welcoming the master to India and have gone on to roll out chants and cheers for the full-back.
He has been judicious in terms of deciding his playing time and it is clear he is saving himself for the home games. The Delhi crowds want to watch him play and the Dynamos’ player-manager wants to continue keeping them happy.
#2 Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri is already a Mumbaikar for the Mumbai City FC fans, and has taken them from the bottom of the table to 6th place already. The team drew their last home match in Chhetri’s absence and that shows that he is their most important player.
He missed the initial couple of games due to the World Cup Qualifiers but came back into the team in a 2-0 loss to Chennaiyin FC. Despite the loss, the Indian skipper was getting a lot of praise from the crowd.
The next game saw a revitalised Chhetri netting a match winning brace for the Ranbir Kapoor co-owned side. Him celebrating his maiden ISL goal with the fans helped a lot, giving them the feeling that he is one of their own.
The Indian captain is respected and loved by fans across the country. When Mumbai City FC chose to buy him, the city was swept by a wave of positive sentiment and he knew there were going to be a lot of expectations of him.
Although a Delhi boy by birth, Mumbai fans look at him as one of their own and are giving him great support and love. Spectators keep going to the stadium to catch a glimpse of Chhetri in action and are expecting him to take his team as far as he can.
Chhetri has obliged them so far. Time will tell if he can keep continuing to do so.
#3 Elano Blumer
The Indian Super League’s top scorer in the 2014 season with eight goals, Elano played a pivotal role in Chennaiyin FC’s great run in the first edition. They lost out to Kerala Blasters in extra-time in the semi finals.
Following his injury, he couldn’t play in the semi finals and his absence was felt by Chennaiyin FC.
In 11 games that he played for the Chennai outfit, the Brazilian netted 8 times, helping his team play some beautiful football as they made their way to the top of the table.
The crowd at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium is one that is very encouraging and keeps cheering for their Brazilian hero. When he gets the ball and starts to run with it, the hearts of the fans gets racing and they are then sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting for a moment of brilliance.
He has been impressing in the 2nd season also and is definitely playing at a level above the rest. His control of the game, incisive passing and goalscoring prowess make him one of the most entertaining players in the league.
#4 Sandesh Jhingan
Close to 60000 fans are regulars at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi where they keep going to support their beloved Kerala Blasters in action. The crowd have found a young superstar in the form of India youngster Sandesh Jhingan.
Echoing the passion of the fans, Jhingan is a fierce competitor and is still putting himself on the line for the benefit of his team. Emerging Player of the League last season, he was one Indian player who impressed both the critics and the fans alike.
The Yellow Army faithful adore the young defender for his performances and efforts in the yellow jersey and stand up and cheer him on every time he steps out on the field.
Though the team is not really performing very well this season, Jhingan is still looking very good in defence and the fans will be hoping their starman can change their fortunes and help them in qualifying for the semi-finals.
#5 Nicolas Velez
Graduate of the famous River Plate Academy in Argentina, Nicolas Velez had been plying his trade at Singapore side Warriors FC. Coming to the Indian Super League on the back of an impeccable goalscoring record of 29 goals from 38 matches for them, he was touted to make a big impact for the Highlanders.
Despite having the likes of Simao Sabrosa and Diomansy Kamara present, there was something about the 25-year-old that saw the boisterous Guwahati crowd immediately connecting with him.
He had a good start to the season, scoring an absolute peach against the Kerala Blasters in a 3-1 loss. Although he failed to score in the next couple of losses, Velez was the one bright spark for the team from the North-East.
He continued his goalscoring with one each in the wins over Chennaiyin FC and Atletico de Kolkata and was slowly becoming a crowd favourite. With 4 goals so far, the fans expect him to keep getting better and he definitely looks like he wants to accomplish a lot with the Highlanders.
