ISL 2017: Five players who might retire after this season

The Indian Super League has seen it's fair share of experienced foreign globetrotters coming to the country to ply their trade in the competition. This season will be the same and in fact, ISL 2017 will be the biggest and the toughest of them all.

With a five-month schedule and two newly added teams, the competition is set to go a notch higher with players such as Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane adding to the popularity of the competition.

But a majority of the foreign stars that have been signed by the ISL clubs are in the final few years of their career as Season 4 of the ISL may prove to be the last for some of the big names in the competition. Along with the foreigners, some Indian veterans are also expected to call it a day after the end of the upcoming season. In this segment, we will look at five such players who might be playing their last ever ISL:

---

Jussi Jaaskelainen (ATK)

A deadline day signing for the reigning champions, Jussi Jaaskelainen will add much-needed leadership at the back for ATK. He has proven himself at the highest of levels with his list of clubs speaking volumes about the custodian. With over 400 Premier League appearances to his name, Jaaskelainen is one of the biggest goalkeepers to have ever been signed by an Indian club.

Despite his vast experience, there is no denying the fact that the Finnish international is currently just prolonging his career by playing in the ISL. Jaaskelainen is 42-years-old and may not be able to play at this level for too long. His League One winning spell with Wigan Athletic was termed by many as his final frontier, but it now looks like the two time ISL champions could be Jaaskelainen's final club.

Anwar Ali (Delhi Dynamos)

Anwar Ali

The central defender from Jalandhar has been an ISL regular. Ali has represented India before, but with the emergence of new talents, has seen his importance being reduced in the national setup. He last played for East Bengal, where the 33-year-old unfortunately suffered a myocardial ischemic attack this April.

He was back on to the football field soon, but might find it tough to sustain at the required levels of the ISL. Ali is not predicted to start the majority of the matches for Delhi this season and may have to satisfy himself with a bit part role from the bench. The centre-back, hence, may now be seen for the last time in the Indian Super League.

Paul Rachubka (Kerala Blasters)

The 36 year old started his career with Manchester United

The Manchester United academy graduate was signed by the Blasters this summer amidst much hope. Rachubka was a part of the United squad between 2000-2002 but made just one official appearance. He has then gone on to play for a number of English teams, but has not been a first choice keeper for any club for the last two years.

Rachubka is expected to play a big role for Rene Muelensteen's Kerala Blasters but at the same time, the American-born custodian's age has to be taken into consideration. Rachubka is 36-years-old and is expected to be in the country for just a season before calling it a day on his 18-year-long career.

Sandip Nandy (Kerala Blasters)

Nandy in action for the Blasters

The acquisition of Nandy after the draft raised quite a few eyebrows over the Blasters' transfer business. The Kochi-based side reportedly had very few options left to sign a goalkeeper and had to settle with re-signing the 42-year-old Sandip Nandy. He was a member of the Kerala Blasters side last season and is expected to be the club's third-choice goalkeeper behind Paul Rachubka and Subhashish Roy Chowdhury.

Though the veteran Indian custodian has always given his all while playing for any of his clubs, his qualities aren't getting any better with his growing age. Nandy is reportedly considering retirement after the end of the current ISL season, and could call it quits on his long and successful career in the Indian circuit.

Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters)

The man with a godly first touch is set to retire after the upcoming ISL season

The biggest signing of ISL season 4, Dimitar Berbatov has expectedly caught the attention of the masses. But the former Manchester United favourite will be seen playing in midfield for the Blasters. This is because of the striker's inability to lead the line due to his growing age.

The 37-year-old Bulgarian has recently completed his manager's diploma, and is mulling over his future ideas. Berbatov has expressed his desire to have a top post with the Bulgarian FA, or to enter politics as well. All in all, we could well be seeing the last of Dimitar Beratov in this season.