The tenth Indian Super League (ISL) season was the most competitive in the league's history. Both the Shield race and the fight for the top-six spot went to the final league games of the season. Mohun Bagan took the top spot in the league for the first time in ISL history by beating holders Mumbai City FC at Salt Lake in the last league game of the season. The Mariners won the Shield with a record points and win tally in a remarkable campaign.
The ISL Playoffs were played at an intense level with two incredible comebacks made in the semifinals by the eventual finalists. Mohun Bagan overturned a 2-1 deficit against Odisha FC in the first leg at home to reach consecutive ISL finals while Mumbai City FC came from 2-0 down to score three goals in stoppage time for a stunning turnaround against FC Goa. The Islanders also completed the revenge over the Mariners in Kolkata to clinch their second ISL title.
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The 2023/24 season of the ISL was highly entertaining, thanks to some outstanding performers who broke several records. While the awards were only for a few and limited achievements, the credit could not be less to the players who consistently put up memorable shows on the pitch. The accolades mostly went to Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Mumbai City FC players for obvious reasons. However, there are other individuals whose contributions were crucial to their club’s achievements this season.
Golden Boot: Dimitrios Diamantakos (13 goals)
After scoring 10 goals in the ISL on his debut with Kerala Blasters, Dimitrios Diamantakos went up a gear this season and smashed 13 goals. Thus, winning the Golden Boot award. Although he had the same tally as Odisha FC's Roy Krishna, the Greek had a superior goals-to-minute ratio and registered three assists for his teammate. The 31-year-old also took 32 shots of which 23 were on target. Despite failing to give the Tuskers any silverware, Diamantakos' second season with the club was the most effective for his consistency as a lethal finisher and crucial strikes in high-stake matches.
Top assist-maker: Medih Talal (10 assists)
The first promoted side into ISL, Punjab FC had a debut season to remember as they fought for the playoff places until the very end. The Shers finished just three points away from the top-six spot in eight but gained a lot of motivation for the new season. The bulk of the contribution came from Madih Talal who, especially in the second half of the season, showed his magic by registering a season-high 10 assists and chipped in with six goals. The Moroccan ranked among the top goal-contributors this season and created the second most chances in a season with 57. Talal attracted a lot of transfer interest because of his impact and he signed off the season with a goal and two assists in the 4-1 routing of East Bengal whom he will play for next.
Golden Ball: Dimitri Petratos (10 goals, 7 assists)
Mohun Bagan won the long-awaited ISL Shield and reached a consecutive ISL Cup final in an incredible season. Additionally, the Mariners won the Durand Cup for the record time in the pre-season. The epitome of their success was Dimitri Petratos yet again. The Australian won the Best Player award this year, having won the Golden Boot last year. He scored the same amount of goals with 10 and notched seven assists making him the highest goal-contributor in the league. Petratos scored match-defining strikes for the Green and Maroons, particularly at Salt Lake, cementing himself as one of the most influential foreigners in the club's 134-year history.
Top Indian assist-maker: Manvir Singh (7 assists)
Among the top contributors for Mohun Bagan to win their first ISL Shield, winger turned wing-back Manvir Singh played a crucial role in registering seven assists from the flanks. His assist tally is the most by an Indian player this season. While the Punjab-born player had highs and lows throughout the campaign, he came alive at the time of asking. Versatile on both wings, Manvir also produced the rare feat of producing three assists in a match. The 28-year-old also scored three goals.
Top Indian goal-contributor: Lallianzuala Chhangte (10 goals, 6 assists)
Mumbai City clinched their second ISL Cup title thanks to another outstanding season from Lallianzuala Chhangte. The Mizo winger’s 16-goal contributions are the same he managed last season. He became the first Indian player to score 10 or more goals in multiple campaigns with his period after the Asian Cup this year being the notable one. The Islanders might not have kept hold of the Shield but their star player did not rest on his laurels and came up with decisive strikes. Chhangte also maintained a goal contribution in eight consecutive games making him one of the most consistent players in the league.
Golden Glove: Phurba Lachenpa (9 clean sheets)
Despite the sheer amount of goals, this season also brought the best out of goalkeepers. Three shot-stoppers kept the most clean sheets in the campaign, Vishal Kaith of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Odisha FC’s Amrinder Singh and Phurba Lachenpa from Mumbai City FC with nine. However, the latter won the Golden Glove for conceding the fewest goals than the other two. The competition was tight as last year’s winner Kaith was pivotal in Bagan’s Shield victory while Amrinder had the best save percentage in the league. Lachenpa’s command in between the sticks, certain mistakes aside, helped Mumbai City with the ISL trophy and also finish as runners-up in the league stage.
Emerging Player: Vikram Pratap Singh (7 goals, 3 assists)
Mumbai City FC was also greatly helped by Vikram Pratap’s breakthrough season with the club under Petr Kratky. Mostly used as a squad player before, the winger used the full potential of his talent this time scoring seven goals and registering three assists. His contribution came at the business end of the season which made the difference. Vikram’s fascinating performances included his brace against Bengaluru FC and a splendid hattrick in the 4-1 thrashing of NorthEast United, both at Mumbai Football Arena. He was deservedly awarded the ‘Emerging Player of the Season’.
