Top 10 Best Player in ISL - 2025 (Ranked)

The eleventh edition of the Indian Super League has passed recently. Mohun Bagan created history by successfully defending their ISL shield. They even won the ISL Cup, making it a fantastic double. They had many best player in ISL in their ranks to achieve this incredible feat. ISL was also home to stars like Alaaeddine Ajaraie, Liston Colaco, and Sunil Chhetri, who emerged as the ISL best players again.
In a season where the league grew by leaps and bounds, the players with star quality massively shone. Youngsters were breaking through and raising the standards of the league. So, all said and done, in this article, we will answer the question of who is the best player in ISL this season.

List of ISL Best Players Currently

In the recently concluded 2024-25 season, the rule of mandatorily playing an AFC player was removed. The salary cap was raised, and two players were allowed to be signed with any wages. All these changes allowed teams to spend freely on international players. This saw the league filled with quality, and some players became the best ISL players with exceptional performances.

How We Ranked the Best ISL Players?

This ISL season has seen some players give extraordinary performances on the field. However, to determine the best player in ISL among the multiple ISL best players, we used the following ranking criteria.
Individual Performance (Stats):
Football is a silly old game of stats. With the technology available now, each action can be quantified, and the ones with an incredible volume of stats made it to this list. However, we believe that the eye test will hold importance and made a surprise inclusion for you.
Consistency:
ISL is a season with a league and cup phase, meaning players must be incredibly consistent across both stages to be one of the best ISL players.
Impact in big matches:
With constant matchups coming up and derbies aplenty, the players should show a great impact in those games to become the best player in ISL.

Who is the Best Player in ISL Right Now?

As part of the post-season analysis, taking every factor into consideration, we dive in to find the best football player in ISL right now. The journey will take us through the best ISL players this season.

10. Vishal Kaith (Goalkeeper)

We are starting our list of best ISL players with the Golden Glove-winning goalkeeper, Vishal Kaith. The goalkeeper had a shaky start to the season, along with his team. However, they discovered their best form and never looked back.
Kaith’s goalkeeping is all about lightning-quick reflexes and unbelievable diving saves. Kaith saved the best for last as he showed excellent concentration in the semis against Jamshedpur and the final against Bengaluru to seal the deal.

9. Subhasish Bose (Left-back)

Bose is one of the best defenders India has ever produced. The 29-year-old is reaching the peak of his career and is justifying his value by performing sensationally in attack and defence. He is built like a tank when it comes to tracking and bringing down opposition wingers.
This season has been all about Bose finding a new gear in attack. He scored six goals in the league and which was triple his best ever campaign in that regard. His best displays came against their city rivals, Mohammedan, when he scored a brace in a game and then scored and assisted one more in the other.

8. Sunil Chhetri (Striker)

There could never be a season or a list without Sunil Chhetri making it in Indian football. He sits eighth in the list of the best ISL players this season, and this is him having a mediocre season with respect to his lofty standards.
Chhetri is one of the two players to score a hat-trick this season in the league. His treble decimated Kerala in a 4-2 rout in the Southern Derby. Chhetri, an Indian football legend, also scored key goals like the equaliser against Hyderabad FC away from home. However, he wasn’t able to get his side over the finish line in the Cup against a dominant Mohun Bagan.

7. Noah Sadaoui (Striker)

The trickster started his career in native Morocco. He had a footballing education at the prestigious Red Bull group in New York. After an accomplished career in multiple countries, he arrived in India with FC Goa first before moving to Kerala Blasters.
On the Malabar Coast, he formed an excellent bond with Adrian Luna and Jesus Jimenez. Together, they made the Blasters fun to watch. However, his side had issues in the backline and failed to make it to the playoffs. Personally, Noah had a fine first season with the Blasters.

6. Liston Colaco (Left-winger)

Now, moving on to the surprise player in the list of best ISL players, we arrive at Liston Colaco. Liston is not your typical player who gets output every time. He is a pacy dribbler who keeps running at defenders relentlessly. He causes chaos, allowing his teammates to thrive.
His trickery and pace hinder his final product. Akin to Ousmane Dembele, he is due for a massive explosion in output soon. His club and country will benefit massively from it, and he will certainly move up the list of the ISL best players.

5. Luka Majcen (Striker)

The 36-year-old was no stranger to Indian football. Majcen started his career in Slovenia and played for multiple clubs before making the move to the I-League. After a couple of spells there, he found a home with Punjab. Majcen helped them win promotion to the ISL.
This season was all about consolidating Punjab’s status as a top-flight club for Majcen. He found the net constantly and breached 10 goals in the top flight after 2019. With his hold-up play, he made Punjab one of the most exciting attacks in the league.

4. Connor Shields (Midfielder)

The Scottish midfielder stood out a cut above everyone on the pitch whenever he played. With plenty of top-flight experience in Europe, he arrived as a massive signing for Chennaiyin FC. In the second season, he kicked on and had an even better personal season.
Shields protected the ball brilliantly and was a weaver of passes with it. He created 76 passes and cracked eight assists, leading the league in that regard. He was the lone shining light as his side let him down, constantly finishing a lowly 11th.

3. Jason Cummings (Forward)

Jason Cummings was the main man at Mohun Bagan before Maclaren arrived. However, he tweaked his play to make sure that his team could accommodate both of them. It showed his team-building nature and ability to dovetail with other world-class players around him.
Cummings played a key role in his side’s success by facilitating the attacks. However, his ability to take pressure penalties defined his season. He scored in the excellent comeback against Jamshedpur from the spot and opened the scoring in the ISL Cup from 12 yards to set his team up for a memorable win.

2. Jamie Maclaren (Striker)

When Maclaren signed for Mohun Bagan, there was a collective gasp in the Indian football community. Such was his resume in international and club football. He lined up for Australia at the FIFA World Cup multiple times and is still a key member of their setup. He came in with huge expectations and lived up to them.
Maclaren became one of ISL best players as soon as he touched the ball for them. His touch oozed class, and his finishing was world-class. He improved the players around him and had a profound impact on the team. His winner in the ISL cup final showcased his importance in the league.

1. Alaeddine Ajaraie (Striker)

Alaaeddine Ajaraie is an example of a late bloomer. He came to the league as a 32-year-old and became the best player in ISL in just one season. The Moroccan international is a versatile forward who could play as a lone striker or in a striker pair, or could play anywhere across the front line.
Ajaraie scored in the 2024 Durand Cup final, helping his side win their first major trophy. He became the first player to win three consecutive ISL Player of the Month awards. He surpassed the 20th league goal to become the third player to do that feat in the first ISL season. Ending the campaign with 23 goals and 7 assists, he terrorised defences, winning the Golden Boot and Golden Ball to become the best football player in ISL.