Mumbai City FC are one of the most successful teams in the Indian Super League (ISL), winning four major pieces of ISL silverware and being a consistent force at the top half of the table.

The Islanders in the last decade or so have not just emerged as a real competitor for top honours but also built a distinct identity for the team as it has adopted a free-flowing style of football that has won many admirers far beyond the boundaries of the city.

Also see: Teams with most ISL silverware

While Mumbai City FC have established themselves as one of the top clubs in India based on performance and style, one factor that has often gone under the radar is the club’s commitment to bringing in young talent and grooming them into top professionals.

The City Football Group-owned club has built a reputation for improving players and putting them on the cusp of the Indian national team, with several examples driving home this fact.

The club’s mix of tactical structure, elite training, and continental exposure has created the perfect environment for both emerging and established Indian players to thrive.

A launchpad for young talents

Several players earned their first senior India cap while playing for Mumbai City FC. Mehtab Singh, who joined the club in 2020, made his senior India debut in March 2023 against Myanmar, establishing himself as a regular in the national setup.

Vikram Partap Singh, joining in October 2020, earned his debut in January 2024 against Australia during the AFC Asian Cup. The high-intensity, attacking football and structured development at Mumbai City FC allowed both Mehtab and Vikram to translate domestic performances into international opportunities.

Valpuia is the latest name that is added in the list, making his national team debut in November 2024. He became a regular in the Mumbai City FC line-up in late 2023 and hasn't looked back since.

Mumbai City FC have also nurtured talents who earned first national-team recognition due to their performances. Phurba Lachenpa, who joined in 2020, received his first senior India call-up in March 2023. Though he has yet to debut, he remains in the mix thanks to his work at Mumbai City FC, which has earned him the recognition of being among the best goalkeepers in the ISL.

Similarly, Gurkirat Singh, who joined in 2022, earned his first senior India call-up while at Mumbai City, highlighting the club’s ability to develop promising young forwards.

A stable environment for India’s finest

Mumbai City FC have also helped established internationals raise their game and regain prominence in the national team. Lallianzuala Chhangte, who joined in 2022, revitalised his career at the club, scoring ten goals and providing six assists in the ISL 2022-23 season, which earned him further recognition with India. He is now a regular and is considered one of the finest Indian forwards. Before joining Mumbai City FC, Chhangte was in and out of the team and lacked consistency.

Rahul Bheke, at the club from 2021 to 2024, strengthened his defensive skills and leadership, earning over 35 senior India caps, many of them around his Mumbai City FC tenure. While Bheke may have left the Islanders to reunite with the Blues, there's no doubt that his time at Mumbai City FC helped him cement his place in the Indian national team.

Apuia, who signed for Mumbai City FC in August 2021, developed composure and positional awareness that secured him a regular midfield role for India. While the midfielder had been capped by the Blue Tigers before he joined the Islanders, his spell in Mumbai made him an automatic choice for the national team.

Bipin Singh, a longtime Mumbai City player, was nowhere in the scheme of things in terms of being an India player. He made seven appearances for the Blue Tigers after his heroics for the Islanders.

Amrinder Singh, during his Mumbai City FC spell from 2016 to 2021, re-established himself in the national team with consistent ISL and continental performances at a time when Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was going strong between the sticks. But Amrinder’s consistency for Mumbai City FC, which included captaining the team to a League and Cup double in 2020-21, made him a certainty in every Indian national team squad at the time.

The Mumbai City Model

Mumbai City FC’s combination of elite training, tactical discipline, and exposure to AFC-level competition has created an environment where players can flourish for India.

“Mumbai City FC prepared me for the challenges of international football,” Chhangte was quoted as saying, highlighting how the club has managed to maintain levels in training and during games that have helped players prepare for the rigours of international football.

Whether helping players earn debuts, elevate careers, or gain first call-ups, Mumbai City FC have become one of the leaders for grooming players to shine on the biggest stage.