Sahal Abdul Samad’s long-awaited goal in the Super Cup 2025 quarterfinal signaled more than just an early lead for Mohun Bagan Super Giant—it marked a personal triumph for a player who had battled injuries and inconsistency for nearly a year. His deft strike against Kerala Blasters FC was his first for the club in eight months, and the emotion on his face said it all.
“Finding the back of the net always brings happiness to a player. Especially, in a tough match, it’s obviously an amazing feeling,” Sahal told Sportstar after the match, encapsulating the emotional weight of his comeback.
For a player once heralded as one of India’s brightest footballing talents, the road has not always been smooth. This season, Sahal managed just 816 minutes on the pitch—the second-lowest of his professional career, excluding his debut year. Yet, instead of wallowing in frustration, the 28-year-old chose resilience.
“Injuries are always part of football, and I always see it that way,” he reflected during an exclusive chat. “The physios, the team medicals, they all supported me through this tough time. It was a lesson for me to be patient and keep working harder.”
Sahal’s journey began with Kerala Blasters in 2018, where he quickly cemented his status as a key player, making 92 appearances and playing a crucial role in their 2021-22 run to the ISL final. His performances eventually earned him a marquee transfer to Mohun Bagan in 2023—a move he now sees as pivotal.
“Like every team, when I was playing there (KBFC), we were all fighting for the trophy… But, when I came here (MBSG), there was a feeling that this is a champion team,” Sahal said. “The players around, the mentality, the management, it is all different here. I am happy about the step I took.”
In the current Super Cup campaign, where Mohun Bagan is largely fielding a reserve side, Sahal has stepped up as a leader. “The best thing to motivate them is for us to work harder than they do. So then, they will be eager to fight back,” he explained.
Having earned 39 caps for India since 2019, Sahal is eyeing a return to the national team setup, especially with the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers approaching. Praising head coach Manolo Marquez’s philosophy, he said, “He wants to keep playing beautiful football and fight for the ball. That’s a huge plus point for our national team.”
With a semifinal clash against FC Goa looming, Sahal knows the Super Cup could be the perfect stage to reaffirm his credentials and remind everyone that his best is yet to come.
