Indian football fans have a reason to celebrate it seems! Abneet Bharti has achieved a historic feat by becoming the first Indian player to debut for an Argentinian club. The 25-year-old defender has moved on loan from K Varnsdorf, a Czech Republic club, and has joined Sol de Mayo, an Argentine club that plays in the country’s third division.
Abneet Bharti breaking the ground!
For a long time, Indian football has lacked a strong presence on the international stage. While the Indian Super League (ISL) has seen immense growth, opportunities for Indian players in established foreign leagues have been scarce. Abneet Bharti’s debut for Deportivo Sol de Mayo, albeit in Argentina’s third division (Torneo Federal A), shatters this notion.
A superb stepping stone for Bharti!
While the Torneo Federal A isn’t a world-beating league, it provides Abneet Bharti with a valuable platform to showcase his abilities on a foreign stage. Playing in Argentina, a nation renowned for its passionate football culture and emphasis on technical skills, will undoubtedly accelerate Bharti’s development, with him just being 25-years old.
Bharti’s debut might not be a headline-grabbing transfer to a European giant, but it signifies a significant step forward for Indian football. Gaining more experience, and who knows, the Nepal-born athlete may be playing top-tier football.