Lalengmawia Ralte

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Lalengmawia Ralte
Personal information
Full name Lalengmawia Ralte
Date of birth (2000-10-17) 17 October 2000 (age 21)
Place of birth Aizawl, Mizoram, India
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Mumbai City
Number 45
Youth career
AIFF Elite Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2019 Indian Arrows 13 (1)
2019–2021 NorthEast United 32 (1)
2021– Mumbai City 13 (0)
National team‡
2017 India U17 8 (0)
2021– India U23 2 (0)
2021– India 10 (0)
Honours
Representing  India
SAFF Championship
Winner 2021 Maldives
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:04, 4 February 2022 (UTC).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 30 October 2021

Lalengmawia Ralte (born 17 October 2000), commonly known by his nickname Apuia, is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Indian Super League club Mumbai City and the India national team. He is the youngest player in the history to captain an Indian Super League club, by doing so for NorthEast United, at an age of 20 years and 44 days.[2]

Club career[]

Youth career[]

Lalengmawia started playing football at the tender age of 6. His first big break arrived when he was selected to play in his school team for the U14 Subroto Cup, an international inter-school football tournament that is held annually in New Delhi, India.[3] He spent a couple of years at the Regional Sports Training Centre football academy in Kolasib, Mizoram and trained under HC Zarzoliana.[4] In January 2016, he went to the trials for the 2017 Under-17 World Cup squad that took place in Mizoram and thus joined the AIFF Elite Academy, in Goa.[5]

Indian Arrows[]

2017-18 season[]

On 29 November 2017, Lalengmawia was selected to play for the Indian Arrows, an All India Football Federation owned team that would consist of India under-20 players to give them playing time.[6] He made his professional debut for the side on 23 February 2018, against his hometown club Aizawl. He started and played the full match as Indian Arrows lost 3–0.[7][8]

In his debut season, Lalengmawia made three appearances, including one in the 2018 Indian Super Cup for the Arrows.

2018-19 season[]

On 13 January 2019, Lalengmawia scored his first goal for the development club against Shillong Lajong, in a dominant 3–0 win. He made some space for himself and pulled the trigger from just inside the box to see the ball nestle into the top corner.[9][10] He featured in 11 matches of the 2018–19 I-League campaign and also once in the 2019 Indian Super Cup as he played well whenever he was called upon and contributed to the ideas head coach Pinto had in his mind.[11]

NorthEast United[]

2019-20 season: Debut in the ISL[]

On 23 May 2019, Indian Super League club NorthEast United secured the services of Lalengmawia for the 2019–20 season.[12] On 18 December 2019, he made his professional debut for the club in the 9th matchweek of the 2019–20 Indian Super League campaign against Bengaluru, in a 2–0 loss.[13][14] This started of him being more involved in the starting XI following this match.

The 2019–20 Indian Super League season was yet another one to forget for the Highlanders as they finished second last in the table. Lalengmawia, though, was one of the few bright spots in NorthEast's gloomy season. He controlled the midfield, pulling the strings and managed the game like a seasoned pro. He impressed many with his passing accuracy, creativity and endurance in midfield.[15]

2020-21 season: The breakout season[]

On 5 August 2020, NorthEast United extended contracts of 5 Indian players which included Lalengmawia for the upcoming season.[16] On 30 November 2020, he captained NorthEast United for the first time in their 1–1 away draw against Goa, which made him the youngest player to lead a side in the Indian Super League, at an age of 20 years and 44 days.

It was the 2020–21 Indian Super League season in which Lalengmawia had a breakout season with the Highlanders. They finished third in the league stages, qualifying for the playoffs for only the second time in their history.[17] On 26 February 2021, he finally managed to get his first professional goal for the club in the last game of the league stages against Kerala Blasters, in a 2–0 win.[18][19]

On 13 March 2021, his wonderful displays in the season won him the Indian Super League Emerging Player of the League.[20] He also won the FPAI Young Player of the Year, on 31 March 2021.[21]

Mumbai City[]

On 13 August 2021, Apuia joined Mumbai City on a five-year deal for a record transfer fee of INR 2 crores ($280,000).[22]

International career[]

On 2 March 2021, Lalengmawia got selected for the 35-man probable national squad camp ahead of India national team's friendlies against Oman and UAE.[23] On 25 March 2021, he made his international debut for India against Oman when he came on as half-time substitute for Rowllin Borges, which ended in a 1–1 draw.[24]

During the SAFF Championship held in October 2021, Sunil Chhetri, who was awarded the man of the match in the game against Maldives, handed over the award to Apuia.

Style of play[]

Tough in body and mind, relentless, forward-looking and with an inexhaustible engine, that is how most people would describe Lalengmawia. He is a part of a generation of players, who insist on wanting to play with the ball.

His ability to get out of tight situations with smooth footwork and his positioning and confidence on the ball consistently make him stand out in the field. He is also adept in finding pockets of space and he's always demanding the ball, looking to direct play. He has impressed many with his ability to compete against more physical players and extremely intelligent game-reading. He is one of those players who covers every blade of grass on a football pitch.[25]

Personal life[]

Lalengmawia was born in Aizawl, Mizoram. His father works as a butcher. His parents had always supported his passion for football and were there for him throughout. In 2015, his parents asked him to skip the trials for the 2017 Under-17 World Cup squad that took place in Mizoram, and rather focus on his Class X board exams. He did appear in the next round of trials held in Mizoram, in January 2016.[26]

His favourite clubs are Barcelona and his hometown club Aizawl. He idolises Argentinian forward Lionel Messi, and current Real Kashmir midfielder Lalrindika Ralte is his favourite Indian player.[27] He also revealed that he chose 45 as his jersey number because of Italian forward Mario Balotelli.[28]

Career statistics[]

Club[]

As of 4 February 2022[29]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Indian Arrows 2017–18 I-League 2 0 1 0 – 0 0 3 0
2018–19 I-League 11 1 1 0 – 0 0 12 1
Indian Arrows total 13 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 15 1
NorthEast United 2019–20 Indian Super League 10 0 – – – 10 0
2020–21 Indian Super League 22 1 – – – 22 1
NorthEast United total 32 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 1
Mumbai City 2021–22 Indian Super League 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
Mumbai City total 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
Career total 58 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 60 2

International[]

As of 16 October 2021[30]
National team Year Apps Goals
India 2021 10 0
Total 10 0

Honours[]

International[]

India[]

Individual[]

References[]

  1. ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Lalengmawia Ralte". www.national-football-teams.com.
  2. ^ "ISL's youngest captain Lalengmawia Ralte gives Northeast a song for the future". The Indian Express. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Who is Apuia Ralte? 10 things to know about ISL's Emerging Player of the Season". The Bridge. 31 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Meet Apuia, the great new hope of Indian football". Mint Lounge. 7 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Meet Apuia, the great new hope of Indian football". Mint Lounge. 7 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Matos Names 25-member Indian Arrows Squad for Hero I-league 2017-18". The All India Football Federation. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Aizawl 3-0 Indian Arrows". Soccerway.
  8. ^ "I-League 2017-18: Aizawl FC 3-0 Indian Arrows - Lalkhawpuimawia brace breaks nine-match winless run for defending champions". Goal.com. 23 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Shillong Lajong 0-3 Indian Arrows". Soccerway.
  10. ^ "I-League 2018-19: Dominant Indian Arrows send Shillong Lajong packing". Goal.com. 13 January 2019.
  11. ^ "The development of the Indian Arrows project under Floyd Pinto – A complete review". KhelNow. 5 March 2019.
  12. ^ "ISL: NorthEast United rope in Lalengmawia from Indian Arrows". Goal.com. 23 May 2019.
  13. ^ "NorthEast United 0-2 Bengaluru". Soccerway.
  14. ^ "ISL 2019-20: Bengaluru FC get the job done against NorthEast United FC". Goal.com. 18 December 2019.
  15. ^ "ISL 2019-20 Season Review: NorthEast United FC". KhelNow. 19 March 2020.
  16. ^ "NorthEast United Retains 5 Indian Players For The Upcoming Season". IFTWC. 5 August 2020.
  17. ^ "Indian Super League 2020-21 Season Review: NorthEast United". KhelNow. 24 March 2021.
  18. ^ "NorthEast United 2-0 Kerala Blasters". Soccerway.
  19. ^ "Just too good - NorthEast United outclassed shambolic Kerala Blasters". Goal.com. 27 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Top-notch performers: Hero ISL 2020-21 season award winners". Indian Super League. 13 March 2021.
  21. ^ "FPAI Indian Football awards: Sunil Chhetri, Arindam Bhattacharya and other winners". Goal.com. 31 March 2021.
  22. ^ "Mumbai City FC Confirm Signing of Lalengmawia 'Apuia' Ralte from NorthEast United FC". News18. 13 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Bipin Singh, Ishan Pandita in 35-man probables list for Oman, UAE friendlies". scroll.in. 2 March 2021.
  24. ^ "India vs Oman highlights: Manvir goal helps Stimac's side play out 1-1 draw". Sportstar. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
  25. ^ "Who is Apuia Ralte? 10 things to know about ISL's Emerging Player of the Season". The Bridge. 31 March 2021.
  26. ^ "Meet Apuia, the great new hope of Indian football". Mint Lounge. 7 April 2021.
  27. ^ "FIFA U-17 World Cup Indian team stars: 10 things to know about talented midfielder Lalengmawia". sportskeeda. 26 September 2017.
  28. ^ "Lalengmawia claims he chose No. 45 jersey because of Mario Balotelli, Balotelli responds". sportskeeda. 17 March 2021.
  29. ^ Lalengmawia Ralte at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  30. ^ Lalengmawia Ralte at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  31. ^ "NorthEast United FC midfielder Lalengmawia wins Hero-of-the-Month award for February". Indian Super League. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  32. ^ "ISL 2020-21: From Lalengmawia to Roy Krishna - All the season award winners | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  33. ^ "FPAI Indian Football awards: Sunil Chhetri, Arindam Bhattacharya and other winners | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 31 March 2021.

External links[]

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