 Vijayan in 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Inivalappil Mani Vijayan | |||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 25 April 1969 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Thrissur, Kerala, India | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Striker | |||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1987–1991 | Kerala Police | (33) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1991–1992 | Mohun Bagan | (27) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–1993 | Kerala Police | (30) | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1993–1994 | Mohun Bagan | 55 | (18) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1994–1997 | JCT Mills Phagwara | 44 | (19) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1997–1998 | FC Kochin | 50 | (24) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1998–1999 | Mohun Bagan | 33 | (15) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2001 | FC Kochin | 47 | (22) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2002 | East Bengal Club | 18 | (19) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2004 | JCT | 34 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2005 | Churchill Brothers | 16 | (22) | |||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | East Bengal Club | 41 | (11) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | 284 | (142) | ||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–2003 | India | 72 | (29) | |||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||
Inivalappil Mani Vijayan (born 25 April 1969), also known by the nickname Kalo Hiran (Blackbuck),[1] is a former professional football player who also captained the India national football team. He played as a striker,[2] where he formed a successful attacking partnership with Bhaichung Bhutia for the India national football team in the late nineties and early 2000s. Vijayan was crowned Indian Player of the Year in 1993, 1997 and 1999,[3] the first player to win the award multiple times.[4] He was also awarded the Arjuna Award in 2003.[5]
Vijayan started his career with the Kerala Police football club and rose to become one of the top names in domestic football. A highly aggressive player, he eventually became the highest earner in Indian club football as well as a regular choice in the Indian team. He scored one of the fastest ever international goals in a match against Bhutan in the 1999 SAF Games, where he managed to score in 12 seconds after kickoff.
Vijayan's talents attracted interest from the clubs in Malaysia and Thailand, although he spent his entire career in India until retirement. By the end of his career he had scored 29 international goals in 70 matches for India. Since retiring from international football, Vijayan has set up a football academy to train young players in his home town. He was the captain of Indian football team from 2000 to 2004.
Vijayan has also acted in some notable roles in many movies. One of his movies, Mmmmm was shortlisted for India's entry into the 93rd Academy Awards.[6]
- ^ Ravindra, Renjith (13 July 2012). "The legend who sold soda bottles – A Tribute to I.M.Vijayan". Sportskeeda. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
- ^ K. John, Binoo (2 February 1998). "With over Rs 1 cr as prize money for Philips League, local clubs sign up foreign players". www.indiatoday.in. India Today. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ "A down to earth footballer". Sportstar. 22 November 2003. Archived from the original on 15 September 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ "AIFF award 2008". Top news.in. 24 December 2008. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ "Arjuna award 2003". The Hindu. 3 August 2003. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ "Actor or footballer or both? IM Vijayan-starrer 'Mmmmm' shortlisted for Oscars - The New Indian Express". www.newindianexpress.com. 3 February 2021. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.