Bhutia named in ‘Legends’ list alongside Pele, Maradona

"Phase 1" of the Legends list includes 48 players from all over the world including Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff and David Beckham.

Baichung Bhutia has scored 40 goals in more than 100 appearances for the Indian national football team.

Former Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia was named in the International Federation of Football History and Statistics’ (IFFHS) Phase 1 of “Football Legend Players” alongside the likes of Pele, Diego Maradona and Zinedine Zidane.

Speaking to Sportstar, Baichung said, “I feel extremely honoured to be a part of this list. All the players in this list have done a lot for football in their respective countries and it is a real privilege to be mentioned in the same breath as the rest of them.”

The IFFHS was founded in 1984 and is recognised by FIFA for their statistical work. “Phase 1” of the Legends list includes 48 players from all over the world including Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff and David Beckham. African legends Roger Milla and Nwankwo Kanu and Chinese superstar Hao Haidong are also on the list.