He Tore His ACL... Then Came Back to Create History For India | Nikhil Mali | Roots to Boots 🇮🇳

A tennis court. A tree in the middle. A kid obsessed with football. Years later, that same kid would captain the Indian Men's Futsal Team and create history for India. This is the story of Nikhil Mali - one of the country's most decorated futsal players 🇮🇳 In this episode of Roots to Boots, Nikhil talks to us about: ⚽ Growing up obsessed with football and learning his skills on a society tennis court ⚽ His journey through DSK Shivajians, Minerva Punjab, Delhi FC, Aizawl FC, FC Bengaluru United, South United, etc. ⚽ Winning multiple AIFF Futsal Club Championships and becoming one of India's most prolific futsal players ⚽ The devastating ACL injury that left him questioning everything ⚽ Finding purpose again through coaching while recovering from surgery ⚽ Returning stronger and proving he still belonged at the top ⚽ Captaining India and singing the national anthem before international matches ⚽ India's first-ever international futsal victory and the emotions behind creating history ⚽ Scoring against Pakistan on Republic Day and helping India win silver at the inaugural SAFF Men's Futsal Championship ⚽ How football gave him not just a career, but also love, family and his entire identity This story is about resilience, belief and finding a way back when everything seems lost. It's a reminder that sometimes the biggest victories happen long before the final whistle. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE to support Roots to Boots - a Sportfolio original series that explores the journeys of Indian footballers - where they started, what shaped them, and where they’re headed. We're putting out new stories from the Indian football community EVERY FRIDAY. Make sure to subscribe! 🫵 Watch Travellers Guide to Indian Football -    • Travellers Guide to Indian Football 🇮🇳 | S...   Get In Touch! 📩 Nikhil Mali:   / nikhilmali7   Ashish Kothari:   / ashbytheball   Sportfolio Productions:   / sportfolioproductions   #IndianFootball #RootsToBoots #IndianFutsal Chapters: 0:00 - Welcome to Roots to Boots 1:10 - Earliest Football Memories 2:43 - Pro-Football Beginnings 7:31 - Dealing With ACL Tear and Other Injuries 11:32 - Support System 15:57 - Representing India Playing Futsal 20:16 - First International Game 21:59 - India's First Futsal Victory 23:37 - Leadership 26:24 - Nikhil's Club Journey 30:22 - AFC Debut vs Tajikistan 32:57 - Sikkim Premiere League 36:01 - Career Highlights, Celebrations 42:06 - A Hat-Trick in 19 SECONDS? 46:29 - Defeating Pakistan on Republic Day 50:42 - Where is Indian Futsal Headed? Tags- Nikhil Mali, Nikhil Mali Podcast, Nikhil Mali Interview, Indian Men's Futsal Team, India Futsal Captain, Indian Futsal, Indian Football, Indian Football Podcast, Roots to Boots, Roots to Boots Podcast, Indian Football Stories, Football Podcast India, Futsal India, India vs Pakistan Futsal, SAFF Futsal Championship, India Futsal History, Indian Sports Podcast, Football Stories, Indian Athletes, Captain of India Futsal Team, Indian Football Journey, ACL Injury Comeback, Football Comeback Story, Indian Football Documentary, Indian Football Culture, Futsal Documentary, Indian Football Interviews, Indian Football Players, India National Futsal Team, Nikhil Mali India, India vs Mongolia Futsal, Fastest Hat Trick Futsal, AIFF Futsal, Delhi FC, Minerva Punjab, Aizawl FC, FC Bengaluru United, South United FC, Sports Documentary India, Football Journey, Indian Sports Stories, Indian Football Community, Football in India, Futsal in India