255. Syed Rahim Nabi

AIFF Player of the Year 2012

Personal information
Full name	Syed Rahim Nabi
Date of birth	14 December 1985 (1985-12-14) (age 25)
Place of birth	Pandua, India
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Playing position	Winger, Wingback
Club information
Current club	Mohun Bagan
Number	19
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2001-2002	Tata Football Academy	0	(0)
2002-2004	Mohammedan	31	(11)
2004-2010	East Bengal	93	(15)
2011–	Mohun Bagan	5	(1)
National team
2004–	India	50	(7)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of "End Of Season 2011". † Appearances (Goals).

Syed Rahim Nabi (born 14 December 1985) popularly known as Nabi is a versatile player who can play in all of the outfield positions. He plays for Mohun Bagan A.C. in club level and represents India internationally.


Career

A product of the Tata Football Academy, Nabi is easily the most versatile player in the current senior setup of the Indian team. He started his career playing as a striker, then moved to midfield and then played as wingback as well. In recent international friendlies he has been playing as a fullback but his ability to play in almost every outfield position, will always make him a very useful player to have in the squad.
Nabi’s club career started with Mohammedan Sporting but his career really took off after joining East Bengal in 2004. Except the I-League, Nabi has won almost every domestic trophy with the red and gold brigade. At East Bengal too he has played in several positions and after spending seven years, Nabi became a real favourite among the East Bengal fans.With his football skills & sharp sense of utility on the field,he has proved to be a star of Kolkata derby.
He has been a member of the Indian team in tournaments like the SAFF Cup, Asian Cup qualifiers and World Cup qualifiers and was of course part of the squad that won two Nehru Cups and 2008 AFC Challenge Cup under Bob Houghton. It took him a while to get starts during the Englishman’s tenure, but in this year’s international friendlies, he started in a few games at left back. A sure shot inclusion in the final 23 and may even get a start depending on his form and the fitness of other defenders.

International Goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	18 February 2006	Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong	Hong Kong	2-2	2-2	Friendly
2.	13 November 2011	Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati	Malaysia	1–1	1-1	Friendly

A product of the Tata Football Academy, Nabi is easily the most versatile player in the current senior setup of the Indian team. He started his career playing as a striker, then moved to midfield and then played as wingback as well. In recent international friendlies he has been playing as a fullback but his ability to play in almost every outfield position, will always make him a very useful player to have in the squad.





















Nabi’s club career started with Mohammedan Sporting but his career really took off after joining East Bengal in 2004. Except the I-League, Nabi has won almost every domestic trophy with the red and gold brigade. At East Bengal too he has played in several positions and after spending six years, Nabi has become a real favourite among fans.


The 24 year old was the club captain last season and has a very good scoring record in the big Kolkata derby against Mohun Bagan. His two goals in the 3-0 win over the Mariners in February 2009 remains one of the biggest highlights of his career. Nabi has represented India at various age group levels and made his senior debut back in 2004.


He has been a member of the Indian team in tournaments like the SAFF Cup, Asian Cup qualifiers and World Cup qualifiers and was of course part of the squad that won two Nehru Cups and 2008 AFC Challenge Cup under Bob Houghton. It took him a while to get starts during the Englishman’s tenure, but in this this year’s international friendlies, he started in a few games at left back. A sure shot inclusion in the final 23 and may even get a start depending on his form and the fitness of other defenders.

Source : Wikipedia, goal.com