‘Sheer talent, a legend’: Fans laud IM Vijayan’s stunner in Kerala exhibition game

A video of the goal was shot by a spectator who was watching the game and later shared by the 50-year-old Vijayan on his social media page.

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Former Indian footballer Inivalappil Mani Vijayan, who was known for his tremendous speed and guile, showed that he has not lost his footballing touch after a volleyed goal scored by him in an exhibition game in Kerala was shared widely on social media.

The 50-year-old Vijayan turned back the clock when he received a pass on the left side of the field with his team on the counter-attack. Cutting in from the left side, Vijayan finished the move with a volley off his right foot that arrowed into the top corner. This was reminiscent of his playing days when he would conjure up a goal out of seemingly improbable situations and he continued to defy age to show off his skill and athleticism.

The video was shot by a spectator who was watching the game and later shared by Vijayan himself on his social media page on Sunday. The goal was hailed by social media users, particularly Indian football supporters from the 1990s, who were quick to point out that the striker still had an eye for goal over a decade after he retired from the game.

IM Vijayan is GOD. Period. Can't thank him enough for making my 90s and early Noughties memorable. So, so many memories of the man whose friend was a football. https://t.co/6ZHz3yZUpk — Dhiman Sarkar (@DhimanHT) September 29, 2019

Sheer talent, a legend. As @MarcusMergulhao says If this is what he does at 50, imagine what he would have done at 25. He still can walk into @IndianFootball playing 11, forget @IndSuperLeague team. @stimac_igor must take a look Presenting @IMVijayan1

Via WhatsApp forward pic.twitter.com/h2k9ErBfyp — Rajesh Menon (@RajeshMenon70) September 29, 2019

Striker is always striker. What an amazing goal by @IMVijayan1 in a local tournament at #Mannarkkad, #Palakkad. #IMVijayan, one of the best forward that #IndianFootball ever seen, turned 50 this year. #KeralaFootball #FootballVideo pic.twitter.com/9PM7ChiUXD — Pratheesh G Nair (@PratheeshGN) September 29, 2019

Vijayan, an Arjuna award winner, is considered one of the best players in Indian football history. Starting his playing career for Kerala Police in 1987, Vijayan went on to represent clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Churchill Brothers over the next two decades. He earned a reputation for his footballing skills in Kolkata for his exploits in the Kolkata Maidan.

He also played 79 games and scored 43 goals for the Indian national football team, which is the third highest behind Sunil Chhetri and PK Bannerjee. He is also the scorer of the country's fastest international goal. He retired from international football in 2004 and played his last club game for East Bengal in 2006 but going by the video he has posted, it appears he could still continue playing football even at the age of 50.