When Punjab FC earned promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL), many wondered how their leading striker Luka Majcen would adapt. He had conquered the I‑League, but could he deliver in India’s premier division?

The answer was a big yes. In two ISL seasons, Majcen became the face of the club, their top scorer, captain and a legend in the making. From scoring their first-ever ISL goal to captaining them through their early seasons in the ISL, the Slovenian striker’s time at the club was nothing short of memorable.

Indian football’s journeyman

Majcen’s story in Indian football started in the I-League with Churchill Brothers FC, where he made an immediate impression by finishing as the second-highest scorer in his debut season. After a short spell with FC Bengaluru United, he returned to the I-League and truly made his name with Gokulam Kerala FC. During the 2021-22 season, he not only emerged as their top scorer but also helped GKFC win the I-League, the second in their history. He then carried that winning energy to Punjab FC, where he played a pivotal role in their 2022-23 I-League triumph. Majcen topped the scoring charts for the club, setting the standard.

Punjab FC’s I-League win was historic as they became the first club to secure promotion to the ISL. For the club, it was about proving they belonged at the highest level. For Majcen, the test was personal: could he replicate his I-League success in a far more competitive ISL? The pressure was on.

Finding his feet

It didn’t take long for him to answer that question. In Punjab FC’s very first ISL match which was a daunting fixture against heavyweights Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Majcen scored the club’s first goal in the league. He pounced on a defensive error with the instincts of a seasoned poacher, announcing himself to the ISL with the same quiet confidence he had shown in the I-League. Though the Shers lost the game 3-1, it was clear that Majcen had already found his feet.

That first season wasn’t easy for Punjab FC. They went winless in their first 10 games, a stretch that would have broken the spirit of many teams. But Majcen remained a constant. Alongside Madih Talal and Jordan Gil, he formed a fluid and dangerous attacking trio that helped the team grow into the league. Punjab FC finally found their rhythm midway in the second half of the season. Five of their six wins came during that phase and the Shers mounted a late push for the playoffs. While they ultimately fell short finishing eighth, it was a respectable debut season in the ISL and Majcen played a central role in it.

He finished the 2023-24 season with eight goals and two assists, leading the scoring charts for the club and wearing the captain’s armband with pride. But what made him more than just a goal-scorer was the way he led. He pressed defenders, tracked back when needed, encouraged teammates in tough moments, and set the tone on the pitch. For a new club trying to build its identity in a highly competitive league, that kind of leadership was invaluable.

Another season, another challenge

The following season brought more tests. Majcen started the 2024-25 campaign in style, scoring in Punjab FC’s 2-1 win away to Kerala Blasters FC. Majcen scored and assisted off the bench and it was a statement victory that showed the team was aiming even higher. But in that game, a serious jaw injury ruled him out for a month. It was a significant blow not just to the squad but also to head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis’ plans. Majcen wasn’t just the team’s striker, he was the anchor.

Such a blow would derail many careers. Not Majcen's. When he returned, he immediately hit the scoresheet. Against Chennaiyin FC in October, he netted a brace to rescue a 3-2 win for his side and continued to find the net consistently all season. Despite playing 600 fewer minutes than the previous season, he ended up with 10 goals and three assists, a better goal contribution rate than his first ISL campaign. His goals didn’t come in meaningless games but in key moments, either pulling Punjab FC level or sealing wins. Punjab FC lost just one of the nine games in which Majcen scored with a Slovenian racking up an impressive average of 0.5 goals per game.

While the team finished 10th in the league, Majcen remained a bright spark. Whether starting or coming off the bench, he was always in the thick of it and Dilmperis clearly valued his ability to make an impact and be decisive in the final third. Even during stretches where the team struggled to score, Majcen’s presence kept opponents on edge. His physicality, movement, and positional sense made him one of the most feared forwards in the league.

A Punjab FC icon

And now, after two seasons in the ISL and having won the I-League before that, Majcen leaves Punjab FC. His departure marks the end of an era with Majcen having contributed 18 goals and five assists in 42 ISL appearances. He leaves as the club’s all-time top scorer in the ISL and arguably, their greatest player so far.

But his legacy goes beyond numbers. Majcen helped build Punjab FC’s identity in ISL. He gave them belief, stability and moments that will be remembered for a long time. From fans chanting his name to teammates looking up to him in the dressing room, he leaves a void that won’t be easy to fill.

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2024-2025Punjab FC Luka Majcen