Nikhil Mali

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Nikhil Mali
Nikhil Mali against Indian Arrows in I-League 2021-22.jpg
Nikhil Mali playing for Aizawl
Personal information
Full name Nikhil Rajendra Mali
Date of birth (1996-11-11) 11 November 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Lagos, Nigeria
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position Winger
Youth career
DSK Shivajians
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2020 Techtro Swades United FC
2021 Delhi FC (futsal) 5 (24)
2021–2022 → Aizawl FC (loan) 7 (0)
2022–2023 FC Bengaluru United 10 (3)
2025 Bhawanipore (futsal) 4 (14)
International career
2023– India (futsal) 10 (3)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 August 2025

Nikhil Mali (born 11 November 1996) is an Indian professional football and futsal player. [1] He was part of the Delhi FC side which won the inaugural Hero Futsal Club Championship in 2021. He plays regularly for the Indian National Futsal team and was named the most valuable player in two consecutive Club Futsal Championships. [2]

Contents

Youth career

Nikhil Mali is a product of DSK Shivajians - Liverpool FC academy. He joined DSK Shivajians in 2015, after being selected during a trial in Pune. After completing his studies, he made a comeback to professional football. [3]

Early Days

Despite the strenuous schedule of an athlete, Nikhil has balanced his academics and sporting pursuits. He works as a Technical Consultant in an IT company in Pune after completing his Bachelors in Computer Application.

Club career

Delhi FC

The club participated in the 2021 Durand Cup where Mali played an important role in their run to the quarter-finals, scoring in the 1–5 defeat to Indian Super League team FC Goa. [4]

Hero I-League 2nd Division

Having been nominated by their state association (Football Delhi), Delhi FC were one of 10 teams to compete in 2021 I-League Qualifiers. [5] Mali was part of the Delhi FC team which was placed in group B alongside Kenkre FC, Corbett FC, ARA FC and Kerala United. He appeared in every game and provided 3 assists as Delhi FC topped their group to advance to the final round. However, they finished third and failed to qualify for the Hero I-League. [6]

Aizawl FC

Having helped Delhi FC win the Delhi Football League, Mali was loaned to Aizawl FC for the 2021–22 I-League. [7]

Futsal Club Championship

Delhi FC

Delhi FC was one of 16 teams to take part in the inaugural Futsal Club Championship in November 2021, placed in group C alongside Niaw Wasa FC, Telongjem FC and TRAU FC. [8] Mali scored 15 goals in the group stage, helping Delhi FC qualify for the semifinals where they defeated Mangala Club 12–7. Mali scored 4 goals, adding 5 more in the final as Delhi FC defeated Mohammedan SC 7–2 to be crowned champions. He was named most valuable player and top goal scorer of the tournament. [9] He also won the following edition with Minerva Academy, being awarded the top scorer again, with 25 goals. [10]

Minerva Academy FC

After the I-League season, Nikhil returned to the Club Futsal Championship with leading Minerva Academy FC and scoring 24 goals in the campaign.

Golazo FC

Due to an ACL injury, Nikhil was sidelined for the Futsal Club Championship 2023-24. However, he worked as an Assistant coach to lead Golazo FC to the finals where they ultimately lost to Corbett FC.

Bhawanipore FC

Nikhil Mali returned for the fourth edition of Club Futsal Championship representing Bhawanipore FC. [11] He spearheaded their charge to the finals becoming the top scorer of the tournament. He scored 8 goals in the Quarter Final clash against Minerva Academy FC and taking his tally to 16 goals in total.

International career

2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualification

Following the dominant campaign of Club Futsal Championship in 2021, Nikhil was selected straight into the National team to represent India in the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers. He spearheaded the entire campaign appearing in the friendlies and qualification matches and even scoring two goals in a thrilling encounter against Palestine.

2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualification

After a stellar Futsal Club Championship, Nikhil was selected as the captain to lead India in the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers [12] against Kuwait, Australia and Mongolia. [13] He played two friendlies against Lebanon prior to the main qualifying matches. He assisted two goals against Mongolia helping India win its first ever international futsal match.

References

  1. ↑ "I-League 2 - Nikhil Mali Signs For FC Bengaluru United". 20 February 2023. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  2. ↑ Maithilesh, Aryalok (11 January 2022). "Nikhil Mali: 'The journey has just begun and I still have a lot to achieve'". Football Counter. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  3. ↑ "You have to give your best to every game: Nikhil Mali". punemirror.com. 10 April 2022. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  4. ↑ "Durand Cup 2021: FC Goa thrash Delhi FC 5-1 to enter semifinals". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  5. ↑ "12 teams fulfil criteria, 10 get nod for I-League Qualifiers". The Times of India. 31 August 2021. ISSN   0971-8257. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  6. ↑ "Hero I-League Qualifiers". Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "Want to set an example for young players from Pune, says Aizawl FC new boy Nikhil Mali". Hero I-League. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  8. ↑ Bangde, Arjun. "Fast, exciting and technical – welcome to Hero Futsal Club Championship". Football Counter. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  9. ↑ Dias, Shayne. "Nikhil Mali - The undisputed star of the Futsal Club Championship". Sportslumo. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  10. ↑ Release, Press (20 February 2023). "Minerva Academy win Futsal Club Championship". thebridge.in. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  11. ↑ "Bhawanipore notch record-breaking win, defending champions Corbett upset Juggernaut in quarter-finals | I-League" . Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  12. ↑ Today, Telangana (25 September 2025). "India makes history with first-ever international futsal victory against Mongolia". Telangana Today. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  13. ↑ Today, Telangana (25 September 2025). "India makes history with first-ever international futsal victory against Mongolia". Telangana Today. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
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