Subrata Paul retires: Former India goalkeeper, nicknamed Spiderman, hangs up his gloves

Subrata Paul, one of Indian football’s team’s greatest players, has retired after a glittering 16 year career. The Arjuna Award winner played 67 times for the country and earned the nickname ‘Spiderman of India’ for being stellar between the sticks. “I am filled with a mixture of emotions. There’s a sense of accomplishment for the journey I’ve been on, coupled with a touch of sadness at leaving the beautiful game behind,” Paul said to the-aiff.com. “But more than anything, there’s an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the incredible opportunities and experiences football has given me.” Subrata became first-choice goalkeeper under former India coach Stephen Constantine and rose to fame for his heroics in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar 12 years ago. Even though India didn’t win a single game in the group stage, against Australia, Bahrain and South Korea, Subrata earned appreciation for his abilities. It was highlighted in the game against Korea, which also featured Spurs striker and now national team captain Son Heung-min, where he had to make 16 saves. Subrata’s career spanned nearly two decades where he represented the likes of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Pune FC, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United, Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC. In 2014, he became the first Indian goalkeeper to sign for a European side when he joined former Danish first division club FC Vestsjaelland but failed to break into the main team. Subrata was part of the Indian team that won the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008, the Nehru Cup thrice (2007, 2009, 2012), 2016 SAFF Suzuki Cup and the Tri-Nations Cup in 2017. “Looking back, I am incredibly proud of my career. Representing India at various levels, including the AFC Asian Cup, has been a great honour. From the highs of victory to the lows of setbacks, the journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but each moment has contributed to my growth as a player and as a person,” he told AIFF. “Football has been the defining force in my life. It has shaped me as a person, instilled discipline, taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, and given me the immense privilege of representing my country on the world stage. Without football, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” he added. Subrata, winner of the Arjuna Award in 2016, passed on the mantle to Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who still occupies the goalkeeping role for India. “Mentoring young players like Gurpreet has been immensely rewarding. I strive to share my knowledge and experience, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities they face. Seeing their growth and success fills me with pride, knowing that I’ve contributed to their journey,” said Paul.