Inivalappil Mani Vijayan, a former Indian football player, made a lasting impact on the sport, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as a striker for the Indian national team.
Vijayan's impressive career was marked by his successful partnership with Baichung Bhutia, and he was recognized for his exceptional skills, earning the title of Indian Player of the Year three times - in 1993, 1997, and 1999, becoming the first player to achieve this feat.
In addition to his individual accolades, Vijayan was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2003, a testament to his dedication and contributions to Indian football.
Vijayan's journey to becoming a professional football player was unconventional, starting as a soda vendor at the Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium in Kerala, earning a meager 10 paise (0.02 Cents) per bottle.
However, his talent and hard work eventually caught the attention of the Kerala Police club, and he rose through the ranks to become one of the top players in domestic football, earning a reputation as a highly aggressive and skilled player.
Vijayan's impressive goal-scoring record included one of the fastest international goals in history, scored against Bhutan in the 1999 SAF Games, in a mere 12 seconds.
This achievement is all the more remarkable considering that only two players, Davide Gualtieri and Hakan Şükür, have scored international goals faster, in 8 and 11 seconds respectively.
Vijayan's talents did not go unnoticed, with clubs in Malaysia and Thailand expressing interest in signing him, although he chose to remain in India throughout his career.
By the time he retired from international football, Vijayan had scored an impressive 40 goals in 79 matches for India, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.
Since retiring, Vijayan has remained involved in football, establishing a football academy in his hometown to train young players, and is currently playing for Kerala Police, after a brief hiatus.
