Inivalappil Mani Vijayan, popularly known as I. M. Vijayan, is a former Indian footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers ever produced by Indian football. Known for his agility, dribbling skills and powerful finishing, Vijayan represented the Indian national team for over a decade and captained the side on several occasions. He was named the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year three times and was honoured with the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
| Full name | Inivalappil Mani Vijayan |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 April 1969 |
| Birthplace | Thrissur, Kerala, India |
| Position | Forward / Striker |
| National team | India |
| Major clubs | Kerala Police, Mohun Bagan, JCT Mills, East Bengal, FC Kochin, Churchill Brothers |
| Honours | Arjuna Award (2003), Padma Shri (2003), AIFF Player of the Year (1993, 1997, 1999) |
Vijayan was born into a poor family in Thrissur district of Kerala. As a child, he sold soda bottles at the Thrissur Municipal Corporation Stadium to support his family, an experience often cited in narratives about his rise in Indian football. He grew up playing football on local grounds in Thrissur and was spotted by scouts of the Kerala Police football team, which gave him his first organised opportunity in the sport.
Vijayan made his senior debut for Kerala Police in the late 1980s. His performances in the Federation Cup and other domestic tournaments brought him into national reckoning.
He moved to Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan, where he became one of the most popular forwards in the Calcutta Football League. He later played for East Bengal as well, becoming one of the few players to represent both major Kolkata clubs with distinction. He also turned out for JCT Mills of Phagwara, with whom he won the National Football League title in 1996–97.
Vijayan represented FC Kochin during the 1990s, returning closer to his home state, and later joined Churchill Brothers of Goa. Across his club career, he was a consistent goal-scorer in the Federation Cup, the Durand Cup and the National Football League.
Vijayan made his debut for the Indian national team in 1989. Over a long international career, he scored several memorable goals and led India as captain in numerous matches. He was a key figure in India's campaigns at the SAFF Championship, where India won multiple titles during his playing years. He is remembered for scoring one of the fastest international goals by an Indian, struck within seconds of kick-off against Bhutan in the 1999 SAFF Gold Cup.
Vijayan was a quick, technically gifted forward with strong dribbling, close control and the ability to score from open play as well as set pieces. His partnership with Bhaichung Bhutia for the Indian national team in the late 1990s and early 2000s is regarded as one of the most effective strike pairings in the country's footballing history.
After retirement, Vijayan remained associated with football development in Kerala and at the national level, contributing as a mentor and ambassador for the sport. He has also appeared in Malayalam cinema in supporting roles, leveraging his popularity in Kerala beyond football.
Vijayan is considered an icon of Indian football, particularly in Kerala, where he is often referred to as the "Black Pearl" of Indian football. His rise from selling soda bottles outside a stadium to captaining the national team is widely cited as a symbol of social mobility through sport in India. Along with contemporaries such as Bhaichung Bhutia and Jo Paul Ancheri, he played a major role in raising the visibility of Indian football during the 1990s.