I. M. Vijayan
Inivalappil Mani Vijayan (born 25 April 1969), also known by the nickname Kalo Harin (Blackbuck), is a former professional football player who also captained the India national football team. He played as a striker, 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, the first player to win the award multiple times. He was also awarded the Arjuna Award in 2003.
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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) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
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.