The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season was a spectacle of goals, tactical battles, and thrilling matches. Mumbai City FC lifted the ISL Cup, while Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured their first-ever League Shield. Both top teams from the league stage concluded the season with silverware.

Throughout the season, new talents emerged, and seasoned players reaffirmed their prowess. Whether domestic or foreign, every player gave their all to help their team achieve their goals.

Amidst these standout performances, the league aimed to recognise those players who captured the fans' hearts. For this, a poll was launched to determine the Fans’ Team of the Season, with voting conducted in four phases. The phases included votes for goalkeepers and defenders, followed by midfielders and forwards in a 3-4-3 formation. The final phase focused on head coaches.

With the voting complete, here’s a look at those who made it to the Fans’ Team of the Season.

Formation: 3-4-3

Goalkeeper

Vishal Kaith (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

Vishal Kaith was consistently outstanding and proved his mettle between the posts. He had another terrific season, being an essential part of the starting eleven last season and garnering 52.33% of fan votes.

Kaith appeared in all 25 matches for his side, keeping nine clean sheets, which tied for the highest in the league.

He also made 50 crucial saves, contributing significantly to Mohun Bagan Super Giant's historic League Shield win. His save percentage was 61%, underscoring his reliability. Additionally, he made 206 recoveries, faced 252 shots, conceded 31 goals, and saved one penalty in the Kolkata derby against East Bengal FC.

Defenders

Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan Super Giant) - Captain

Subhasish Bose, standing tall and robust, garnered an impressive 48.42% of the fans' votes. He anchored the defense for Mohun Bagan SG, bringing a wealth of experience to the backline. Playing both as a full-back and center-back, Bose was a rock in the Mariners' defensive setup throughout the season, helping the team achieve nine clean sheets during the ISL 2023-24 campaign.

Across 25 matches, Bose demonstrated his defensive prowess with 33 interceptions, 27 blocks, 77 clearances, 37 tackles, and 145 duels won. His impact extended beyond statistics, as he led by example on the field and guided the team to the Shield.

Hector Yuste (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

In defense, Yuste helped Mohun Bagan SG play as a solid unit, and his experience made them defensively stable. Among the senior players in the squad, the Spaniard was instrumental in marshalling the defense throughout the ISL 2023-24 season. The 36-year-old won 54.56% of the fan votes.

He featured in 24 games, totaling 2072 minutes of play while making 34 interceptions, 17 blocks, and 86 clearances. He also won 101 duels, 58 in the air, and made 18 tackles. In attack, Yuste scored one goal and provided an assist.

Rahul Bheke (Mumbai City FC)

In his final season for Mumbai City FC, Rahul Bheke led them to the ISL 2023-24 Cup, helping them establish themselves as the best defense in the league. His consistent performances and defensive solidity were crucial for the Islanders. The Mumbai local garnered 35.79% of the fans' votes to be included in the Fans’ Team of The Season.

In 23 games, Bheke made 25 interceptions and won 74 duels with 101 recoveries. He made 21 tackles, seven blocks, and 48 clearances over 1995 minutes, also contributing to eight clean sheets. He won 31 aerial duels and created nine chances for his team.

Midfielders

Ahmed Jahouh (Odisha FC)

Regarded as one of the league’s finest midfielders, Jahouh proved to be a key performer for Odisha FC, seamlessly integrating into his new club. His creativity, exceptional vision, and wide range of passing were instrumental in driving Odisha FC to their most successful ISL campaign to date, achieving a playoff spot and advancing to the semi-finals for the first time in the club's history. The seasoned Moroccan secured 55.32% of fan votes.

Jahouh's impact extended beyond orchestrating the play. He scored two goals and provided four assists throughout the season, while creating 47 goal-scoring chances, the most for the Kalinga Warriors.

A box-to-box midfielder, Jahouh was equally influential defensively, contributing 33 clearances, 35 interceptions, and winning 113 duels. He was often the facilitator behind Odisha FC's transitions from defense to attack, making them strong at both ends of the pitch.

Vibin Mohanan (Kerala Blasters FC)

Vibin Mohanan had a breakthrough season, proving his worth as a crucial player for Kerala Blasters FC. His dynamic play and defensive contributions were vital to his team's performance. The 21-year-old local midfielder secured 38.48% of the votes to cement his place in the Fans’ Team of The Season.

Across 19 appearances and 1422 minutes, Mohanan scored one goal and created 13 chances. He completed 652 successful passes, made 14 interceptions, eight clearances, and won 49 duels, including five aerial duels. Additionally, Mohanan had 14 successful dribbles and 115 recoveries, showcasing his all-around abilities in midfield.

Madih Talal (Punjab FC)

After taking some time to adapt to his new club, Madih Talal established himself as the heartbeat of Punjab FC's midfield, emerging as the league's most prolific playmaker. He supplied 10 assists, more than any player in the league.

His creative abilities and goal-scoring prowess were central to Punjab FC enjoying a memorable first season in the ISL. The French midfielder won by a landslide share of fans' votes at 65.50%.

In his 22 appearances, Talal scored six goals and provided ten assists. He crafted a total of 57 goal-scoring chances, the second-highest tally in the league. He completed 433 successful passes, made 37 successful dribbles, and delivered 32 key passes, proving his value as an indispensable player for Punjab FC.

Noah Sadaoui (FC Goa)

Noah Sadaoui's attacking flair and versatility were key to FC Goa's success. His goal-scoring and playmaking abilities made him a standout performer throughout the season as the Gaurs reached the semi-finals after three seasons.
The highest-voted player in the Fans’ Team of The Season, Sadaoui won by a massive vote share of 74.43%.

Sadaoui was the top goalscorer for team and also had the highest goal contribution for the Gaurs. The Moroccan made 23 appearances, tallying 1821 minutes, and scored 11 goals while providing five assists. He created 37 chances and 32 key passes, showcasing his offensive capabilities. Additionally, he completed 433 successful passes and 37 successful dribbles, maintaining a high level of performance.

Forwards

Dimitrios Petratos (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

After a standout ISL debut season, Petratos displayed his worth again and played a significant role in Mohun Bagan SG’s League Shield win. Known for his ability to score goals and create opportunities for teammates, the 31-year-old secured 68.75% of fans' votes.

Petratos contributed 17 goals with 10 goals and seven assists, winning his second silverware with the Mariners in as many seasons. His stellar performances earned him the ISL Golden Ball award, given to the league's Best Player.

While Petratos couldn’t surpass his goal tally from the previous season, his creative prowess was evident in his 60 goal-scoring chances created, tying him with Brandon Fernandes.

Manvir Singh (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

Manvir Singh emerged as a crucial forward for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, contributing significantly to their attack. His ability to score and assist made him an invaluable player for the team. The Punjab winger-cum-forward secured 47.98% of the votes to claim his spot in the Fans’ Team of The Season.

Throughout the season, Manvir scored four goals and provided seven assists. His tally of seven assists was the highest among Indian players. He also had 101 touches in the opposition box, 30 key passes, and 24 successful dribbles, showcasing his offensive versatility and impact on the field.

Dimitrios Diamantakos (Kerala Blasters FC)

Diamantakos often proved to be Kerala Blasters FC’s talisman, becoming crucial to their playoff run. The seasoned Greek striker garnered 45.67% of the votes to earn a spot in the Fans’ Team of the Season.

He won the coveted ISL Golden Boot by scoring 13 goals, tying with Roy Krishna but surpassing him due to fewer minutes played. He once again finished as the club's top scorer for a second season running.

Besides his goal-scoring prowess, Diamantakos provided three assists, highlighting his all-around ability in the final third. Impressively, he maintained a 40.62% shot conversion rate, proving his efficiency and reliability in front of goal.

Head Coach

Antonio Lopez Habas (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

In January, Habas took over as head coach of Mohun Bagan SG, sparking a significant revival for the team and leading them to their first-ever League Shield. The Spaniard received 64.30% of the be voted as the Fans’ Head Coach of the Season.

Habas stepped in following a challenging period for the Mariners marked by three straight defeats to Mumbai City FC, FC Goa, and Kerala Blasters FC late in the first half of the season, leading to former head coach Juan Ferrando’s departure.

But Habas brought a renewed sense of purpose and confidence to the players, getting the team back on track in the second half of the season. Under his guidance, the Mariners returned to peak, romping to a historic League Shield victory despite a flew blips along the way. Besides being known for the their defensive solidity, the Mariners also excelled in attack under Habas, netting the most goals this season.