The Indian Super League (ISL) is the most competitive football league in India, with all the top players from the country participating in it. The league also boasts decent foreign talent, while in recent times, it has emerged as a breeding ground for youngsters.

Here, we take a look at the Golden Ball winner in each edition of the ISL since it’s inauguration in 2014.

Iain Hume played for a number of top clubs during his career and became the first player to win the Golden Ball award, winning the honour during the inaugural edition of the ISL.

The striker was an inspired signing for Kerala Blasters in 2014 scoring five goals and registering three assists across the group stage and knockout phase.

The 38-year-old played a key role in leading Kerala to the finals, but he could not help them win the title as they lost at the final hurdle to ATK.

Stiven Mendoza starred in his second stint in the ISL when he moved to Chennaiyin FC on loan from Corinthians, with the striker etching his name into the club’s history by not only winning the Golden Boot and Golden Ball award but also scoring a last-gasp winner to lead the club to the title.

Florent Malouda has been one of the best foreign stars to impress in the ISL during his history as he was brilliant for Delhi Dynamos in 2016 – scoring three goals and registering three assists as he led the club to the semifinal stage.

Delhi lost in the semifinals, but Malouda was named as the Golden Ball winner for his impact.

Footballing icon, Sunil Chhetri remains the only Indian footballer to to win the Golden Ball in ISL history. The striker scored a staggering 24 goals in all competitions in 2017/18, which included 14 goals in the ISL.

Chhetri led Bengaluru FC to the final, but unfortunately saw his side lose 3-2 to Chennaiyin FC.

A two-time Golden Boot winner, Ferran Corominas was an inspired signing for FC Goa with the Spaniard scoring 48 goals in the three seasons he played for them.

Despite his excellence in front of goal, the 38-year-old decided against extending his contract with the club, and at the time he left, he was the all-time highest goalscorer in the competitions history.

Hugo Boumous has been a regular presence in the ISL ever since he arrived in India in 2018 and it came as a surprise to many that Mumbai City FC let him leave for ATK Mohun Bagan last season considering that he played a key role in them winning the league title in 2020/21.

The playmaker was brilliant for Goa in 2019/20, scoring 10 goals and registering 11 assists to win the Golden Ball that season.

Roy Krishna has been one of the best foreign players to participate in the ISL as he has been brilliant on the pitch as seen by the number of individual honours he has won so far.

The striker was at his imperious best during the 2020/21 season, scoring 14 goals throughout the season, and while he won the Golden Ball – his side failed to win the league title.

Jamshedpur FC made arguably the signing of last season when they brought Greg Stewart from Rangers on a one-year deal. The 32-year-old played a key role in the club winning the ISL League Winners Shield and ended the season with 10 goals and the Golden Ball award to his name.