The latest edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) is upon us. In just a few days, the fast-paced action will reach television screens around the world and it promises to be an exciting experience. With this season offering addition in terms of teams, the competition promises to be a thriller this time around.
Having given Indian football the thrust that it needed, the ISL has gone from strength to strength and continues to showcase the best that the nation has to offer. Indian football is well and truly on the world map, partly thanks to the success of the ISL, and with major stars set to feature in the 2017 edition, more eyes will definitely be on the competition.
With three seasons gone and another coming up, we look back at the stats that matter. So here are some of the major awards from past seasons that you may have forgotten about:
#5 ISL Emerging Player of the Season (2014-2016)
The Emerging Player award is one of the most keenly-awaited ones at the end of the season. Till date, the league has seen some sensational young talent come through the ranks and this award honours the best among the lot.
Here are the winners of the emerging player award from 2014 till 2016:
ISL 2014 - Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters FC)
ISL 2015 - Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC)
ISL 2016 - Jerry Lalrinzuala (Chennaiyin FC)
Also read: ISL 2017: Top 5 players likely to win the Golden Boot this season
#4 ISL Hero of the League (2014-2016)
The Hero of the League award is another award that was made to recognize the true ability of a player throughout the course of a grueling season in the ISL. Consistently performing well at an elite level is one of the hardest feats to accomplish but a select few players have managed to do just that since the ISL started in 2014.
The award is sponsored by the ISL's main sponsors Hero and has become synonymous with pure class and perfection. Here are the winners of the award so far:
ISL 2014 - Iain Hume (Kerala Blasters FC)
ISL 2015: Stiven Mendoza (Chennaiyin FC)
ISL 2016: Florent Malouda (Delhi Dynamos)
#3 ISL Golden Glove (2014-2016)
Goalkeepers deserve all the credit that they can get. One man between two sticks and the last line of defense. All the pressure in the world on his shoulders. The stoppers in the ISL have had their fair share of the limelight and the league has been responsible for giving us some of the best saves you will ever see, thanks to the athleticism of these brave performers.
The Golden Glove award is one that is given to the goalkeeper with the most economical numbers at the end of the season and clean sheets, of course, play a major role in winning this award. Here are the winners of the award so far:
ISL 2014 - Jan Seda (FC Goa)
ISL 2015 - Edel Bete (Chennaiyin FC)
ISL 2016 - Amrinder Singh (Mumbai City FC)
Also read: ISL 2017: Players expected to captain each side
#2 ISL Fittest Player of the League (2014-2016)
Fitness plays a massive role in the development of every single player and while we don't hear about this award all that much, it's by far one of the most important. The ISL recognized the importance of fitness in the spectrum of football and decided to hand out this award for each of its seasons.
The winners of this award will be remembered for their sheer dedication to perform in each and every game. Here are the winners of this award:
ISL 2014 - Jan Stohanzl (Mumbai City FC)
ISL 2015 - Iain Hume (Atletico de Kolkata)
ISL 2016 - Borja Fernandez (Atletico de Kolkata)
#1 ISL Golden Boot (2014-2016)
You cannot win games without scoring goals and that is why this is by far the most important individual award to give away in any league. Strikers are drafted into the team to score goals and the ISL has had its fair share of them since its inception in 2014.
The winners of this award can well and truly be put into a class of their own and with anticipation high for the new season, the question is, who will take home the golden boot award this year? Here are the winners of this award so far:
ISL 2014 - Elano Blumer (Chennaiyin FC)
ISL 2015 - Stiven Mendoza (Chennaiyin FC)
ISL 2016 - Marcelinho (Delhi Dynamos)
Also read: ISL 2017 Squad, List of all team players