I. M. Vijayan
🔥 TrendingInivalappil Mani Vijayan is a former professional Indian football player. Playing in the striker position, he formed a successful attacking partnership with Baichung Bhutia for the Indian national team in the late nineties and early 2000s. Vijayan was crowned Indian Player of the Year in 1993, 1997 and 1999,the first player to win the award multiple times.He was also awarded the Arjuna award in 2003. Vijayan started out as a seller of soda in the Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium, Kerala e
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Facts about I. M. Vijayan
Did you know that I. M. Vijayan, once a humble soda seller outside a stadium, went on to become one of India's most celebrated footballers and even transitioned into a successful acting career in Malayalam cinema?
- Despite his stardom, I. M. Vijayan joined the Kerala Police in 2004 as a Sub Inspector.
- He earned the moniker "Kalo Harin" (Black Buck) for his speed and agility on the field.
- His acting debut was in the 2004 Malayalam film "Kinaram", portraying a villainous role.
- Vijayan founded a football academy in his hometown, Thrissur, to nurture young talent.
- He scored one of the fastest international goals, netting against Bhutan in 1999 within 12 seconds.
I. M. Vijayan's defining career moment was undoubtedly his prolific partnership with Baichung Bhutia, forming the "Bhaichung-Vijayan" duo that terrorized defenses for the Indian national team. This period saw him crowned Indian Player of the Year an unprecedented three times, cementing his status as a football legend.
Vijayan's journey from poverty to national icon serves as a profound inspiration for aspiring athletes from underprivileged backgrounds across India. He significantly elevated the profile of Indian football and demonstrated the power of perseverance.