The past six seasons haven’t been kind to Mumbai City or its supporters. The Islanders have qualified for the playoffs just twice and have lost in the semi-final on both occasions.
With the City Football Group’s backing, Mumbai City are expected to have a complete turnaround in fortunes, and with their recent signings, it is very likely that Mumbai would take home the cup as well.
As the seventh season begins in a couple of months, we look back at the club’s highest goalscorers in each season till now.
2014- Andre Moritz
You ask Mumbai City fans their favourite moment in the history of the club and you would surely hear Andre Moritz’s name popping up quite a few times. Moritz’s 3 goals in the first season of the Indian Super League came in the same match against Pune City.
The pelting FC Pune City recieved from their neighbours is still fresh in the minds of the fans. Mumbai scored 5 goals to nil and Moritz got his hattrick as well.
The rest of the season Moritz didn’t score anymore goals. A couple of assists was all the Brazilian could offer to the team. Moritz was a shining light in an otherwise disappointing season as Mumbai finished 7th on the table.
2015- Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri is the only Indian in this list, and for apparent reasons. India has seen few players better than Chhetri, and the club’s jersey was graced by him too.
Sunil Chhetri became the highest paid Indian footballer after Mumbai City picked him up in the draft and he didn’t disappoint.
Chhetri scored 7 goals in 11 matches and was a fan favourite. He was instrumental in whatever little success Mumbai had that season where they finished 6th.
Chhetri also became the first Indian to score a hattrick in the ISL. He achieved this feat while playing against Northeast United at home.
The legend continued to play for the Islanders in 2016 but for various reasons he wasn’t involved much in the proceedings, even as the team finished at the top of the table.
2016- Diego Forlan
The city of Mumbai was graced in 2016 when Diego Forlan signed for the club. The Uruguayan, who played for top clubs like Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, played in the third edition of the Indian Super League, and he didn’t disappoint.
Till date, Mumbai City’s best ever standing in the league table came in 2016. The team was star-studded and the man leading it was Forlan. He scored 5 goals in 11 matches as Mumbai defied all odds to secure the top spot after the league stage. However, it all went in vain as they lost to ATK in the semi-final and failed to reach the final.
Interestingly, it was Forlan who got sent-off in the first leg and he was forced to miss the second leg. Mumbai City missed him dearly as both teams failed to open the scoring that night as the Islanders faced defeat. Forlan left the club after that season.