#1 Ahmed Khan
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It is perhaps unsurprising that the ‘Magician of Indian Football’ tops this list. Of all the players featured so far, none had the menacing, animalistic aura that was present in the snake charmer's game.
Playing as an inside-left or No. 10, Ahmed Khan was part of the legendary ‘Paanch Pandavas’ front-line for East Bengal FC during the era of the 2-3-5. In the modern day, he would be classified as a creative attacking midfielder, with his ability to play between both lines and stretch defences. His on-the-ball skills were unmatched by any player, on either team, during the course of the game and his ability to score with either foot left crowds mesmerized.
Born the son of a famous footballer (Baba Khan), Ahmed Khan’s destiny had been written with football being the edict: all of his siblings played professionally as well. Born in then-Bangalore, Khan grew up in a time when football was much more aligned to the mainstream as a genuine sport in the country.
He featured in India’s first-ever participation at the Olympics in 1948 and scored a spectacular consolation goal in a 10-1 thrashing by Yugoslavia. This, while playing barefoot. Ahmed Khan’s incisive attacking led India to their first gold medal in the Asian Games of 1951-52 in New Delhi.
Khan’s affinity for expensive cigarettes is a hint at his entertaining persona off the field; he also loved playing cards and watching films.
One of Ahmed Khan’s unique qualities was that he never featured for East Bengal’s arch-rivals, Mohun Bagan. His loyalty to the club and the fans was unparalleled and as a result, he is still revered in Kolkata today.
Accolades
3-time Calcutta Football League winner (1949, 1950, 1952), 4-time IFA Shield winner (1949-51, 1958), two-time Durand Cup winner (1951-52), 1949 Rovers Cup winner, 1951-52 Asian Games gold medal winner
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