From an unwanted halt for 550 days to the chance to don an Indian jersey. Aakash Mishra’s story in football is no less than a Bollywood drama. While the Fatorda Stadium, Goa, holds a story of the winner of 2023-25, it is the same grass-scripted story of a terrific injury for Mishra. A ligament tear that kicked him out from football for over 550 days.
However, like a natural revisit, Mishra’s return to competitive football was welcomed by the very same grassland and the very same stadium.
While talking to the Sportstar, he stated, “I wouldn’t want any player to get such an injury because only I know what I went through and how difficult it was,” Akash tells Sportstar.
Akash’s critical injury halted his club and international football journey for an entire season. The player was just a mere spectator who, donning India’s jersey, saw India finding an equaliser with Kuwait in the World Cup qualifiers and mourned like a million others when India’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign was eliminated.
“Mentally, it’s tough,” Akash stated. “When you look at other teams playing while you are sitting at home, doubts creep in—will I be able to play again? And even if I do, will I be the same?”
Akash sustained the injury in May last year. Followed by his rehab at the Assam High Performance Centre in Kokrajhar. However, he returned with his spirit after almost 551 days, donning the Mumbai City jersey and sealing a 4-1 win over Sporting Club Delhi.
Like the universe sending a message, it was in the same stadium; he left on crutches a little more than a year ago.
Akash stated, “I am very thankful to the people I had, the medical team, of course, the club, my agent, and most of all my mom and dad and my younger sister. They supported me a lot to get back.”
For the 2022–23 AIFF Emerging Player of the Year, acceptance became the turning point. He used it to reinvent his game, shifting his focus from raw pace to smarter positioning.
“When you go out after playing at a level and get injured, then people’s expectations remain the same, and if, after injury, any part of your body is opened, it will not be the same,” Akash says.
Akash’s journey has been nothing short of beautiful to witness. From a fearless, attack-minded full-back to a composed defensive force. The player has grown into someone you can trust to hold that left flank like a fortress.
And then came that moment — Khalid Jamil, India’s men’s head coach, sitting in the stands in Goa, scouting for the Asian Cup qualifiers. He saw what we all saw. On November 5, Akash’s hard work paid off: a call back to the national camp.
“My main focus is to build up slowly. We have played three games now, and Coach Khalid must have seen something to call me up. So, I will give my 100 per cent in the camp, and if he feels I deserve a chance, there’s nothing that tops it,” Akash says.
“Playing for India has always been a dream since I started playing football. I have played for India before, and I am looking forward to doing that again after returning from my injury.”
Needless to say, Akash proved himself to be a strong link against Kerala Blasters, holding the fort for his team. Now, the fans wait for his remarkable journey to become the fort for the Indian team.
