I want to see India at the World Cup: Vikram Partap Singh on In The Stands
The Mumbai City FC forward shared his father's influence on his career and his goals for the coming years in this exclusive interview.
Vikram Partap Singh, Mumbai City FC's young sensation, has consistently proven his mettle since joining the Indian Super League (ISL) side in 2020. From making his debut under Sergio Lobera to playing a pivotal role in the Islanders’ ISL Cup triumph last year, Singh’s rise has been remarkable, driven by his unwavering determination to fulfil his father’s dreams.
The Chandigarh-born forward experienced a breakthrough season, recording his career-best numbers in the 2023-24 season. Singh’s game arguably flourished under the stewardship of Czech-Australian head coach Petr Kratky, as he achieved a 10+ goal contribution (eight goals and four assists) for the first time in the league and was awarded the prestigious ‘Emerging Player of the Season’ accolade.
Breaking into Mumbai City FC’s star-studded starting eleven was no easy feat for the 22-year-old. In his early days, Singh was often limited to appearances off the bench. However, his relentless efforts on and off the pitch and his unwavering commitment eventually cemented his place as a key player for the Islanders.
Singh was part of Mumbai City FC’s League Shield and Cup-winning squad in his debut season. He repeated this achievement by securing the League Shield in the 2022–23 season under Des Buckingham’s leadership and added another Cup title in 2023–24, showcasing his growth and consistency as a forward.
During his appearance on the In The Stands show with host Suyash Upadhyaya, Singh reflected on his journey with the Islanders, shared his aspirations for the club and national team, and highlighted his father's profound influence on his career.
While Indian players’ contribution to goals has steadily risen, no homegrown talent has claimed the league’s ‘Golden Boot’ award in its eleven-season history. Singh, however, remains confident in his ability to achieve this milestone and join the ranks of the league’s top goal scorers.
“There's a lot to achieve in the ISL. I want to be the top scorer of the league. No Indian has won the Golden Boot Award in the ISL so far. I wish to win it in the next few years,” Singh said in the latest episode of In The Stands.
Watch the full episode here
Singh’s footballing journey began in his hometown, where his uncle played a pivotal role in shaping his early days in the sport.
Reflecting on those formative years, Singh fondly recalled: "My football journey began in Chandigarh. My uncle took me with him to Chandigarh when he moved there. So, he was the one who was passionate about football.”
“Every morning, he used to take me to our local park. So, to begin with, he used to make me take rounds of the ground. Every day I remember running with him. Sometimes, he used to sit and tell, come on, take a few rounds of the ground, and come. Then he tried finding some local coaches. He found a coach called Sanjeev Maria, who was brilliant. I think he also worked with the AIFF as a scout as well,” he continued.
“Waking up at 4:30, then dropping me off at school—I mean, my uncle has done a lot for me. He used to wake up before me because he himself had to make breakfast for me. It was just the 2 of us there. He used to wake up, make breakfast for me, and then wake me up. Then he used to take me to training sessions, and he used to take a nap in the car. Then from there, he used to take me to school, then go to work, and then I used to go back home myself,” he further added.
Singh captained the Blue Colts’ U-16 side in the 2018 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, where he showcased his leadership and talent. He registered a goal in his four appearances and guided the team to the quarterfinals, where they narrowly lost 0-1 to South Korea U-16.
Despite this early setback, the dynamic forward shared his ultimate dream of representing India on the biggest stage in football—the FIFA World Cup.
“Ever since I started playing, I had a dream. I want to play at the World Cup,” he shared.
“So, at some point, I want to see India at the World Cup. The Indian team will definitely play at the World Cup, but when they do, I want to be in the team; that is my dream,” he said.
Singh wanted to idolize India’s football icon, Sunil Chhetri, to enjoy a successful career in the coming years. Chhetri, whose tireless work rate and steadfast dedication have been exemplary for the generations to come, played for over two decades for the country and featured in 151 international games, scoring a record 94 goals.
Singh didn’t like to see himself as Chhetri’s successor; rather, he ought to follow the veteran’s footsteps to reach his target.
“No, (I don’t want to be the next Chhetri). I'm Vikram. Everybody knows what Sunil Chhetri has achieved is incredible. He (Sunil Chhetri) has done it at a very high level, and it's very impressive. I have my own goals, so I just want to focus on my goals,” Singh remarked.
“I think the most important thing is longevity, and to be able to play that long, discipline, diet, etc. are key. So, I’m focusing on these things; from now on, I may be able to play as long as Chhetri did. If I'm able to play as long as he has, I think I will be able to achieve all my goals,” he further added, explaining the necessity of discipline and hard work to be on the football circuit for a long period.
During the ISL 2023-24 season, Singh faced a deeply personal tragedy with the passing of his father, Vasudev Singh. A former footballer himself, Vasudev had been a pillar of unwavering support and a guiding influence in shaping Singh’s career. His consistent encouragement and constructive feedback played a crucial role in Singh’s journey, making the loss an emotional and mental challenge for the young forward to overcome.
“As everyone says at home, 'I’m a Momma’s boy,' but I was a “Papa’s boy," a proper one. Whatever I used to do, I always used to ask, Where’s dad? Where’s dad? Come on, let’s go out!” he remarked.
Singh’s father, a constant source of inspiration, was the driving force behind his journey, often setting individual goals to help his son strive for success.
Reflecting on his father’s influence, Singh shared: “He always used to say, for example, there are 20 matches. So in the first season’s 20 matches, I thought I should score a minimum of 5 to 7 goals. He used to say, ‘5 to 7? You've got 20 matches; you should score more than 20 goals! You should score in each match.’ He used to believe that.”
“Someday I’ll definitely fulfill it. I’ll score 20 goals in 20 matches,” Singh signed off, taking an oath to achieve the numbers that his late father set.