Hyderabad FC, a club formed in 2019, have created plenty of memorable moments for their fans in just six seasons of existence. Although their Indian Super League (ISL) journey began with a tough debut season, they rose quickly, going from the bottom of the table to lifting the ISL Cup in just two seasons. Their rise was built on smart recruitment and a strong focus on youth development.

While the last two seasons have been challenging for them, especially after the departure of head coach Manolo Marquez, Hyderabad FC have remained committed to nurturing young talent.

Over the years, they’ve struck a fine balance between youth and experience, which has made them a competitive force in a short period. And even though their ISL journey is still relatively new, many players have already left a lasting legacy in the Yellow and Black.

We’ve picked the best of them to feature in Hyderabad FC’s all-time ISL XI.

Goalkeeper: Laxmikant Kattimani

A part of Hyderabad FC since their inception, Laxmikant Kattimani is the clear pick between the sticks. While Gurmeet Singh had two impressive campaigns at the club, Kattimani’s experience, longevity, and decisive performances give him the edge.

The veteran goalkeeper made 57 appearances over five seasons and kept 14 clean sheets, playing a crucial role in the club’s rise under Manolo Marquez. His most iconic moment came in the 2021–22 ISL final, where he saved three out of four penalties in the shootout against Kerala Blasters FC, helping Hyderabad FC lift their first-ever ISL Cup.

Injuries may have prevented him from playing more games, but his impact, especially in their Cup-winning campaign, was simply unforgettable.

Right-Back: Asish Rai

Asish Rai made his ISL debut with Hyderabad FC after joining the club ahead of the 2019–20 season, and over three seasons, he blossomed into one of the most promising Indian full-backs in the league.

Coming in as a raw talent, Rai developed rapidly – showcasing tactical awareness and relentless energy on the right flank. He made 48 appearances for the club, playing a vital role in their ISL Cup-winning campaign in 2021–22 with his overlapping runs and solid defensive contributions.

While Nikhil Poojary also featured in many games at the right-back position after Rai’s departure, it was Rai’s overall impact, growth, and Cup-winning influence that earned him the spot in this XI.

Centre-Backs: Odei Onaindia and Chinglensana Singh

A constant pillar at the back whenever he wore the Yellow and Black, Odei Onaindia is an easy choice for this XI. The Spanish defender featured in two separate one-season spells at Hyderabad FC (2020–21 and 2022–23), and in both, he hardly put a foot wrong.

In his debut season, he started every game and quickly built a reputation as one of the most dependable centre-backs in the league. After a brief return to Spain, he re-joined Hyderabad FC and continued to marshal the backline with calmness and authority.

Across his 41 ISL appearances for HFC, he was involved in 20 clean sheets. His presence at the back played a huge part in the club’s transformation into one of the league’s best defensive sides.

Chinglensana Singh featured regularly for Delhi Dynamos FC early in his ISL career but saw limited game time after moving to FC Goa. It was at Hyderabad FC where he truly found his rhythm and established himself as a first-choice centre-back.

Joining the club in 2020, Sana became a key figure in their backline, forming reliable partnerships with Odei Onaindia and Juanan (during the 2021–22 ISL Cup-winning campaign). His calmness on the ball, strong positioning, and ability to carry the ball from deep made him a standout performer over three-and-a-half seasons at the club.

With over 60 ISL appearances for HFC, Sana played a big role in shaping the club’s defensive identity.

While Nim Dorjee Tamang and current captain Alex Saji were also strong contenders, Sana’s consistency and contributions during the club’s most successful years sealed his place in this all-time XI.

Left-Back: Akash Mishra

A full-back any coach would love to have. Akash Mishra could defend, tackle, bomb forward with overlapping runs, and contribute consistently in attack. After joining Hyderabad FC from the Indian Arrows setup, Mishra quickly made the left-back position his own.

Under Manolo Marquez, the youngster developed into one of the most complete modern full-backs in Indian football. In just three seasons, he clocked 62 ISL appearances, was involved in 21 clean sheets, and chipped in with two goals and four assists.

His energy, discipline, and two-way presence on the pitch made him an irreplaceable figure during Hyderabad FC’s golden era. Since his departure, the club has tried multiple options at that position, but none have come close to matching the impact Mishra had.

Defensive Midfielder: Joao Victor

Joao Victor joined the club ahead of the 2020–21 season and departed in 2024 as one of the most influential figures in Hyderabad FC’s short yet successful history.

A calming presence at the heart of midfield, Victor was the perfect anchor, serving as a defensive shield in front of the backline and as the link between defence and attack. Across his 71 ISL appearances for the club, he scored 12 goals, provided three assists, and averaged 45 passes per game with an impressive 84% accuracy.

But beyond the numbers, it was his leadership that truly stood out. As captain, he led Hyderabad FC to their first-ever ISL Cup title in the 2021–22 season and was instrumental in building the team’s identity under Manolo Marquez. On and off the pitch, he was a composed leader, a tireless worker, and the midfield general every team dreams of.

Central Midfielder: Sahil Tavora

Mr. 87:19. That’s how Hyderabad FC fans will always remember Sahil Tavora.

His thunderous equaliser in the 2021–22 ISL Cup final dragged the game into extra time, before Kattimani’s penalty heroics secured Hyderabad FC’s first-ever silverware. It remains one of the most iconic moments in the club’s history.

Tavora joined Hyderabad FC in 2019, and although he initially struggled for game time, things changed under Manolo Marquez. The Spanish head coach placed his faith in the Goan midfielder, who gradually grew into a key presence in the middle of the park.

Known for his versatility and ability to control the tempo, Tavora quietly did the hard yards: breaking up play, retaining possession, and contributing in attack when needed. Across 62 appearances over four and a half seasons, he established himself as a reliable and consistent performer.

Souvik Chakrabarti was also a strong contender for this role, but Tavora’s longevity, influence, and that unforgettable Cup final strike give him the edge in our all-time XI.

Right Midfielder: Nikhil Poojary

With Asish Rai locking down the right-back slot, it’s only fitting that Nikhil Poojary joins him on the right flank, a partnership that proved pivotal during Hyderabad FC’s ISL Cup-winning campaign.

Poojary began his journey at Hyderabad FC as a right midfielder and went on to become one of the most reliable wide players in the squad.

Over four and a half seasons, he made nearly 80 appearances for the club, combining attacking intent with defensive discipline. A speedy outlet who constantly took on defenders, his solid work ethic also made him a valuable asset when tracking back.

While Abdul Rabeeh has shown great promise in the same role, it’s Poojary’s consistency and overall contribution that earned him the spot in this XI.

Central Attacking Midfielder: Joel Chianese

Joel Chianese takes the attacking midfield spot in our Hyderabad FC all-time XI. While players like Edu Garcia and Borja Herrera made notable contributions in this role, the Aussie gets the nod for his consistency and impact over three seasons.

A key part of the ISL Cup-winning squad, Chianese made 51 appearances for the Yellow and Black, scoring nine goals and providing four assists. He also created 48 chances, often linking midfield to attack with his sharp movement and intelligence.

Left Midfielder: Mohammad Yasir

Yasir was a creative spark for Hyderabad FC. While he often played as a central or right-sided midfielder, he also featured on the left when needed, and that’s where he fits into this XI.

The club’s all-time appearance leader in the ISL, Yasir, spent four and a half seasons with the Yellow and Black, making 80 appearances. A fleet-footed player with the ability to glide past defenders, he was Hyderabad FC’s key creative outlet in many matches, leading in chances created and posing a threat from distance and set-pieces.

Halicharan Narzary had a notable spell with HFC, and Liston Colaco enjoyed a breakout 2020–21 season under Manolo Marquez, but neither matched Yasir’s consistency and overall impact during his extended stay at the club.

Striker: Bartholomew Ogbeche

Hyderabad FC have had some notable names lead their line, Marcelinho, Aridane Santana, Javier Siverio, but none made the kind of impact Bartholomew Ogbeche did.

The Nigerian forward arrived in 2021 at the peak of his powers and delivered a sensational debut season, scoring 18 goals and providing one assist in 20 appearances. With a conversion rate of 32.14%, Ogbeche was simply unstoppable as he powered Hyderabad FC to their first-ever ISL Cup and clinched the Golden Boot.

He followed it up with another strong campaign, contributing 12 goal involvements in 21 matches. Clinical, intelligent, and always a step ahead in the box, Ogbeche was the ultimate difference-maker.

With 28 goals in total, he remains Hyderabad FC’s all-time top scorer in the ISL, a true legend in Yellow and Black.

Head Coach: Manolo Marquez

Manolo Marquez is one of the most important figures in Hyderabad FC’s history. When he joined the club, it was a big challenge: new surroundings, a new league, and a team that had finished last in their first season. But he quickly changed the team’s fortunes.

In his first year, he took Hyderabad FC to 5th place, just two points short of the playoffs. The very next season, they finished second in the league and went on to win the ISL Cup by beating Kerala Blasters FC in a dramatic penalty shootout, the club’s first-ever silverware.

Hyderabad FC repeated a second-place finish the next year but fell short in the semi-finals, after which the Spaniard took over as FC Goa’s head coach.

Marquez played a key role in developing young Indian players and giving the team a clear identity during his time at the club.