Consistency Personified: Players to win back-to-back ISL Cups
Six players in ISL history have managed to win the ISL Cup in back-to-back seasons.
Winning silverware in the Indian Super League (ISL) is tough. But winning it in consecutive seasons deserves special applause.
Repeating success requires great desire and hunger to go through the grind all over again, but it’s the scent of success that drives individuals and teams to consistent glory.
In the history of the ISL, only six players have managed to win the ISL Cup and come back the following season with the same hunger and drive to repeat the triumph.
Who are they? Read on.
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Apuia (2023-24 and 2024-25)
Lalengmawia Ralte, widely known as Apuia, became the latest addition to the list, with the Indian international lifting the ISL Cup with Mohun Bagan Super Giant after joining them last summer. Apuia tasted his first ISL Cup title during the 2023–24 season with Mumbai City FC. He was a sensation at the heart of the pitch, with his commanding ball control, excellent interceptions, and brilliant passing range. He played a pivotal role in MCFC’s road to success, as he also won the Player of the Match in the ISL Cup final against MBSG.
The dynamic midfielder carried forward his match-deciding performance with the Mariners in the 2024–25 season. He played an anchoring role throughout the campaign and delivered results when it mattered the most. His goal in the dying minutes of the second leg of the semi-final against Jamshedpur FC sent the Mariners into the final. The sensational strike was the crowning moment of another brilliant season by the midfielder.
Asish Rai (2021-22 and 2022-23)
Asish Rai became the first Indian to win successive ISL Cups. The full-back achieved this feat with Hyderabad FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
Rai had an impactful stint at HFC and was a key player in Manolo Marquez’s setup. His bursts of pace and agile movements down the flanks were instrumental, as he played a decisive role in their ISL Cup glory in the 2021–22 season. He marked the campaign with his industry, winning 31 tackles, 109 duels, and 26 aerial duels. Rai also made 75 recoveries and seven blocks, in addition to providing three assists for Hyderabad FC.
After joining MBSG in the following season, Rai brought in his champion’s luck, helping the Mariners clinch their first-ever ISL Cup in the 2022–23 season. He was a regular face in Juan Ferrando’s starting eleven and enjoyed a remarkable debut season for the Mariners by joining an exclusive club of back-to-back ISL Cup winners. His defensive numbers improved as he won 31 tackles, 118 duels, and 24 aerial duels. He made a staggering 127 recoveries and 35 clearances.
Bartholomew Ogbeche (2020-21 and 2021-22)
Bartholomew Ogbeche was the fourth player to achieve this feat. The ISL legend, who is the second-highest goalscorer of all time, clinched the ISL Cup title twice during his time with Mumbai City FC in 2020–21 and Hyderabad FC in 2021–22.
Ogbeche was the linchpin of the Islanders’ league double in the 2020–21 season. The Nigerian enjoyed a dominant season, finishing the campaign with eight goals and three assists to his name.
Ogbeche maintained his goalscoring prowess at his new club, Hyderabad FC, being a constant threat in the opposing third with his aerial supremacy and fierce volleys. He scored 18 goals in 20 matches, playing a pivotal role in their ISL Cup triumph in the 2021–22 season.
Henrique Sereno (2016 and 2017-18)
The Portuguese defender joined ATK FC ahead of ISL 2016 and lifted the ISL Cup in his debut season in the league. He featured in ten matches in the ISL, where he made his mark with his defensive numbers, as well as playing a big part in the final game. Sereno registered 53 clearances, won 62 duels, and made 36 recoveries, but the big moment was his goal in the final to level the score against Kerala Blasters FC, before they beat them on penalties.
In the next season, the centre-back joined Chennaiyin FC, featuring in 18 games and helping his side keep seven clean sheets. He was the captain of the side and led them to their second ISL Cup win. That season, defensively, he won 104 duels, made 82 recoveries, and registered 112 clearances.
Fikru Teferra Lemessa (2014 and 2015)
The scorer of the first-ever goal in the ISL, Fikru Teferra, was a key figure for ATK FC, as they lifted the first ISL Cup. He scored five goals and provided three assists in 12 appearances, with a goal conversion rate of 21.74%.
The Ethiopian forward followed the footsteps of his teammate Edel Bete to join Chennaiyin FC ahead of ISL 2015. His numbers were limited that year, as he clocked only 360 minutes across 11 appearances, and he netted one goal, which came against his former side in the second leg of the semi-final. However, alongside Bete, they became the first players to taste ISL Cup success in back-to-back seasons.
Apoula Edel Bete (2014 and 2015)
Apoula Edel Bete began the season as ATK FC’s second-choice goalkeeper but soon earned the trust of the head coach to become the team’s first-choice custodian. He delivered a stellar performance, keeping four clean sheets in nine matches, averaging four saves per game, and boasting an impressive save percentage of 86. He also kept a clean sheet in the final and conceded just six goals across the season, making a strong impression in the ISL’s inaugural campaign.
In the following season, Bete signed with Chennaiyin FC and continued his standout performances between the posts. Using his physical presence to dominate the penalty area, the Armenian goalkeeper kept six clean sheets in 13 matches. His efforts helped the Marina Machans secure their first-ever ISL Cup, making Bete one of the first players to win consecutive ISL Cups.
