ISL 2017: 5 star players who rejected ISL to play in I-League this season

Former teammates Katsumi Yusa and Sony Norde are rivals this season
Former teammates Katsumi Yusa and Sony Norde are rivals this season

#3 Mohammed Rafique

Rafique is East Bengal's key midfielder this season
Rafique is East Bengal's key midfielder this season

The man for the big occasions, Mohammed Rafique has featured in two ISL finals, winning one and losing the other. The 25-year-old from Kolkata, like Mondal, didn't fancy participating in the ISL domestic draft and ended up staying with East Bengal, leading them to the CFL title last month after a disappointing I-League and Federation Cup campaign last season.

The India regular is a busy presence in the centre of midfield and had he been part of the ISL draft, he would certainly have been picked up and have pocketed a handsome salary. That said, the ISL's loss is the I-League's gain and East Bengal fans will be able to witness one of India's midfield stars strutting his stuff in the I-League next season.

Quick Links

Edited by Abhijit Bharali
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications