TOISA 2025 Nominees: Celebrating genius in football

The eighth edition of the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) will take place on March 21, 2026, in Lucknow, celebrating the achievements and inspiring journeys of India’s finest athletes across multiple disciplines.

TOISA 2025 will honour performances delivered between January 1 and December 31, 2025, highlighting standout achievements at major international tournaments and world championships. Featuring over 45 award categories, the event will recognise both established legends and promising young talents who have made the nation proud.Winners will be selected by a distinguished panel of sporting icons, including Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Devendra Jhajharia, Sharath Kamal, and Leander Paes, ensuring a credible and expert evaluation of excellence in Indian sport.

Football – MaleSubhasish BoseDate of Birth: August 18, 1995Place of Birth: Kolkata, West BengalSport: FootballMajor Achievements in 2025:Named AIFF Men's Player of the Year (2024–25).Captained Mohun Bagan Super Giant to both the ISL Shield and Cup titles.Netted 6 goals from left-back, a record high for an Indian defender in a single season.The Mohun Bagan captain enjoyed the most successful year of his career in 2025, leading his club to a historic domestic double.

Subhasish’s defensive solidity combined with an unprecedented attacking output made him only the second defender ever to win the AIFF Men’s Player of the Year award. His leadership was instrumental in Mohun Bagan becoming only the second team in ISL history to sweep both major trophies, cementing his status as the premier player in the country following the transition of the national team's senior leadership.Sunil ChhetriDate of Birth: August 3, 1984Place of Birth: Secunderabad, TelanganaSport: FootballMajor Achievements in 2025:Reached 95 international goals, the fourth-highest among active global scorers.Returned from retirement in March 2025 to lead India to a 1-0 win over the Maldives.Finished the 2024–25 season as the highest Indian goalscorer with 12 goals.Despite announcing his international retirement in 2024, Sunil Chhetri made a sensational "one-match comeback" in March 2025 to help India break a 12-match winless streak in a friendly against the Maldives. At age 40, his predatory instincts remained sharp as he led Bengaluru FC to the ISL semi-finals and finished the league season as the top-scoring Indian.

His 2025 campaign served as a final masterclass in longevity, proving he remained the most clinical finisher in Indian football history before moving toward his ultimate retirement.Vishal KaithDate of Birth: July 22, 1996Place of Birth: Rohru, Himachal PradeshSport: FootballMajor Achievements in 2025:AIFF Awards: Named Men's Goalkeeper of the Year (2024–25).ISL Golden Glove: Won the award with 15 clean sheets across all competitions.Player of the Month: Became the first goalkeeper to win the ISL Player of the Month award (January 2025).Vishal Kaith was the impenetrable wall behind Mohun Bagan’s 2025 success. His record-breaking 15 clean sheets were pivotal in the club securing the ISL Shield and Cup double. Kaith’s exceptional form was recognized early in the year when he became the first-ever goalkeeper to be voted ISL Player of the Month, boasting a 92.9% save percentage in January.

By winning the AIFF Goalkeeper of the Year award, he officially established himself as the premier shot-stopper in the Indian top flight.Brison FernandesDate of Birth: April 17, 2001Place of Birth: Loutolim, GoaSport: FootballMajor Achievements in 2025:Named Men's Promising Player of the YearCrowned ISL Emerging Player of the SeasonBecame the first Indian player to score back-to-back braces in the ISLEarned his first senior national team caps in 2025.2025 was the breakthrough year for Brison Fernandes, who transitioned from a substitute to one of the most feared midfielders in the ISL. His historic achievement of scoring two goals in consecutive matches for FC Goa showcased a clinical edge rarely seen in young Indian midfielders. With 7 goals and 2 assists, he was the driving force behind Goa's second-place league finish and semi-final run. His stellar domestic season earned him both the ISL Emerging Player award and his first call-up to the Indian national team.Gurpreet Singh SandhuDate of Birth: February 3, 1992Place of Birth: Mohali, PunjabSport: FootballMajor Achievements in 2025:Led Bengaluru FC to a second-place ISL finish and the playoff semi-finals.Remained the first-choice goalkeeper for the "Blue Tigers" during the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.Ranked among the top 3 goalkeepers for save percentage and successful high-claims in the 2024–25 season.Gurpreet Singh Sandhu continued to be a model of consistency and leadership for both Bengaluru FC and the Indian national team in 2025.

He played every minute of Bengaluru's campaign, which saw them narrowly miss out on the ISL final after a 120-minute thriller against Mohun Bagan. His commanding presence in the air and distribution remained vital for the national team's transition period, ensuring India maintained one of the most stable defensive units in South Asia throughout the year.Football – FemaleSoumya GugulothDate of Birth: July 18, 2001Place of Birth: Mahabubabad, TelanganaSport: FootballMajor Achievements in 2025:Awarded AIFF Women's Player of the Year for the 2024–25 season.Became Champion with East Bengal FC in Indian Women's League (IWL)IWL Top Indian Scorer: Netted 9 goals to lead her club to their first-ever title.Became the first player from Telangana to win the AIFF's top individual honour.Soumya Guguloth enjoyed a career-defining year in 2025, emerging as the premier forward in the country. Her 9 goals were instrumental in East Bengal FC breaking the dominance of traditional powerhouses to clinch their maiden IWL trophy.

On the international stage, her pace and clinical finishing were vital during India's successful AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign. Her consistent excellence was officially recognised in May 2025 when she was named the AIFF Women's Player of the Year, solidifying her status as a national icon.Grace DangmeiDate of Birth: February 5, 1996Place of Birth: Dimdailong, ManipurSport: FootballMajor Achievements in 2025:International Friendly vs Hertha BSC: Scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victoryKey contributor to India's unbeaten qualification run at AFC Women's Asian Cup QualifiersLed Sribhumi FC to a commendable mid-table finish as a senior leader in IWLKnown for her explosive pace and veteran experience, Grace Dangmei remained a core pillar of the "Blue Tigresses" in 2025.

Her standout moment came during a preparatory tour in Turkey, where she scored the winning goal against German side Hertha BSC Frauen. Throughout the year, Grace served as a vital mentor to the younger forwards while maintaining her reputation as one of the most clinical wingers in Asia. Her leadership on and off the pitch was essential in navigating a challenging international calendar.Elangbam Panthoi ChanuDate of Birth: February 1, 1996Place of Birth: Keirak, ManipurSport: FootballMajor Achievements in 2025:Awarded AIFF Women's Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2024–25 seasonBecame Champion with East Bengal FC in Indian Women's League (IWL)IWL Golden Glove winner with 7 clean sheets during the title-winning campaignGuarded the net as India qualified without a single defeat at AFC Women's Asian Cup QualifiersElangbam Panthoi Chanu was the bedrock of both her club and country in 2025.

Her exceptional reflexes and shot-stopping ability led East Bengal to the IWL title and earned her the Golden Glove as the league's best goalkeeper. On the international front, she was nearly impenetrable during the Asian Cup Qualifiers in Thailand, helping India secure a ticket to the 2026 continental championship. Her stellar form throughout the season made her the undisputed choice for the AIFF's Best Goalkeeper award.Manisha KalyanDate of Birth: November 27, 2001Place of Birth: Hoshiarpur, PunjabSport: FootballMajor Achievements in 2025:Signed for Alianza Lima Femenino (becoming the first Indian woman to join a South American club)Scored 4 goals during the qualification tournament at AFC Women's Asian Cup QualifiersScored the opening goal in India's 2-0 win over Jordan at Pink Ladies CupManisha Kalyan continued her trailblazing journey as India's most successful football export in 2025.

After a successful stint in Europe with PAOK, she made a high-profile move to Peru's Alianza Lima, further expanding her global footprint. For the national team, she remained the primary offensive threat, scoring crucial goals against Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon. Her ability to perform on the biggest stages confirmed her reputation as a world-class forward and the most vital asset in India’s quest for a 2027 World Cup berth.Pyari XaxaDate of Birth: May 18, 1997Place of Birth: Jajpur, OdishaSport: FootballMajor Achievements in 2025:FPAI Woman Indian Player of the Year: Voted the best player by her peers.Scored historic 5 goals in a single match against Mongolia at AFC Women's Asian Cup QualifiersSilver medalist with the Odisha state team at National GamesBecame only the sixth Indian woman to score 5+ goals in an international match.Nicknamed the "Ferrari" for her lightning speed, Pyari Xaxa reached new heights in 2025. Her 5-goal blitz against Mongolia was the highlight of India’s Asian Cup qualification campaign and etched her name into the record books. Her peers recognized her impact by voting her the FPAI Player of the Year, an honor she received while on national duty. Domestically, she continued to be a prolific scorer for Odisha FC and led her state to a silver medal at the 38th National Games, proving to be one of the most clinical strikers in South Asian football.