Sandesh Jhingan, India’s star centre-back, has signed a multi-year contract with the famous sportswear company, Adidas. Jhingan, who plays for ATK Mohun Bagan in the Indian Super League (ISL) will collaborate with the sportswear company to engage and inspire the next generation of players.
Jhingan was named the Men’s Player of the Year in 2020-2021. He also won the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Emerging Player of the Year award in 2014. In addition, he has also received the Arjuna Award in 2020 for his contributions to Indian football.
Jhingan, a Manchester United fan, has now joined the brand’s prestigious pool of athletes, which includes Lionel Messi, Mo Salah, Paul Pogba, and Paulo Dybala.
The brand also has collaborated with some of the world’s finest football clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Bayern Munich.
In India, the 28-year-old joins the ranks of Adidas athletes such as Rohit Sharma, Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain, Manpreet Singh, Simranjit Kaur, Nikhat Zareen, and Jeremy Lalrinnunga.
Sandesh Jhingan said, “My journey with football has been very enriching, and I aspire to make it a far bigger sport in India than it is today. I am thrilled to be a part of the Adidas family, and I feel this association will take me closer to my dream of seeing India develop a greater passion for football and gain a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. I feel Adidas gets my passion and love for football like no other, given its long-standing relationship with the sport.”
Speaking about the partnership, Sunil Gupta, Senior Director, Adidas India, said, “Sandesh is a role model for many young footballers and a perfect combination of passion and talent. With this partnership, we aim to inspire the youth and work towards a common goal of building football from the grassroots level in India. We are thrilled to have Sandesh join the Adidas family.”