Flashback Friday Baichung Bhutia
For almost two decades, the only name that was synonymous with football in India was Baichung Bhutia. Even today, people still relate football with the icon of Indian football.
Baichung is by far the best player to grace Indian football since the legendary P.K. Bannerjee. His efficiency in front of the goal and his poaching skills got him the nickname of ‘Sikkimese Sniper’. He is the only player to be adored by both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan despite playing for both the Kolkata giants.
He is the only player to play in Europe after Mohammed Salim and the only Indian to earn a professional contract in Europe when he played for Bury in 1999. He scored a goal for the Manchester based club but was soon released by the club as it went into administration. He then had trials at Fulham, West Brom and Aston Villa. If not for injuries and work permit issues, Bhutia would have been plying his trade in European leagues.
We at TFM, are reliving the icon today! Here is Bhutia in a nutshell.
India national team
Total of
Honours
Arjuna Award for football in 1998
Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 2008
Banga Bhushan award in 2014
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