7 World Cup Winners Who Played in ISL

India has not been able to make it to the FIFA World Cup, yet you still experienced the football of World Cup winners on Indian grounds.

The Indian Super League launched in 2014, and then the legends who won the World Cup and were famous worldwide had the opportunity to play in the league as either active players or even managers. Their involvement was a big factor in the uplifting of the status of Indian football and the directing of global attention towards the ISL.

Here are seven FIFA World Cup winners who played in the Indian Super League.

1. Alessandro Del Piero (Italy – World Cup 2006)

Alessandro Del Piero was listed among the most renowned players to ever step into the shoes of an ISL player. His signing for Delhi Dynamos marked the league’s very first season. The player represented Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning team and he was a participant in three World Cups overall. Even in his last years, the combination of technique, vision, and leadership still could not be hidden in India.

2. Robert Pires (France – World Cup 1998)

Robert Pires was one of the players who formed the golden generation of France which clinched the World Cup in 1998. He was on the FC Goa roster for the first ISL season. His give and take with the ball was not just limited to ball control but he also had the ability to dictate the game’s pace even in his brief tenure.

3. David Trezeguet (France – World Cup 1998)

Another winner from the 1998 World Cup, David Trezeguet, moved to FC Pune City in 2014. He scored the golden goal for France in the Euro 2000 final. Trezeguet was an artist and a master of the young league’s hard fields, using his experience and finishing ability to perfection.

4. Marco Materazzi (Italy – World Cup 2006)

Marco Materazzi scored in the final of the 2006 World Cup for Italy. He also won the World Cup as a player-manager and subsequently head coach of Chennaiyin FC, making him the most prominent World Cup winner in Indian football. Under him, Chennaiyin FC won the ISL title in 2015.

5. Alessandro Nesta (Italy – World Cup 2006)

Alessandro Nesta, the legendary defender who played in three World Cups, also won the trophy in 2006. He made his ISL debut for Chennaiyin FC in the 2014 season. Even in limited appearances, his reading of the game and defensive positioning were evident.

6. Joan Capdevila (Spain – World Cup 2010)

Joan Capdevila was part of Spain’s historic 2010 World Cup-winning team. He joined NorthEast United FC in 2014. Capdevila added balance and experience to the left side of the pitch and helped guide younger players.

7. Roberto Carlos (Brazil – World Cup 2002)

One of the most famous left-backs in football history, Roberto Carlos joined Delhi Dynamos as a player-manager in 2015. He was part of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning squad and played in three World Cups. His free-kicks, leadership, and global reputation brought massive attention to the ISL.

FIFA World Cup Winners Who Played For ISL Clubs

Player	Country	World Cup Won	ISL Club
Alessandro Del Piero	Italy	2006	Delhi Dynamos
Robert Pires	France	1998	FC Goa
David Trezeguet	France	1998	FC Pune City
Marco Materazzi	Italy	2006	Chennaiyin FC
Alessandro Nesta	Italy	2006	Chennaiyin FC
Joan Capdevila	Spain	2010	NorthEast United FC
Roberto Carlos	Brazil	2002	Delhi Dynamos
Lúcio	Brazil	2002	FC Goa
Carlos Marchena	Spain	2010	Kerala Blasters

As the new ISL season continues and the FIFA World Cup 2026 draws closer, it important to note the contributions od such players in our league.

These seven players did not just bring medals and reputation; they brought experience, professionalism, and global attention. If you look at the early growth of the ISL, the presence of World Cup winners played a major role in shaping how the league is viewed today.

                                               

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