Mandar Rao Dessai (born 30 October 1992) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a winger. As of the 2023–24 season, he is a member of Indian Super League (ISL) club FC Goa and has represented India at various youth international levels.
Early life and youth career
Born in the state of Goa, Dessai developed his football skills in local youth setups before joining the academy of Dempo SC, one of Goa’s prominent clubs.
Professional club career
- Dempo SC (2012–2014) – Dessai made his senior debut in the I-League with Dempo, appearing primarily as a wide attacker.
- FC Goa (2015–present) – He signed with the ISL franchise FC Goa ahead of the league’s inaugural season. Over multiple seasons, Dessai has been utilized both as a starter and a substitute, contributing to the club’s attacking play with goals and assists. He was part of the FC Goa squad that won the ISL League Winners’ Shield in the 2019–20 season.
- Loan spells – During his tenure with FC Goa, Dessai spent short periods on loan with other Indian clubs to gain additional playing time, though his primary registration remained with Goa.
International career
Dessai has featured for India at the under‑19 and under‑23 levels, participating in regional tournaments and Olympic qualifying matches. He has not yet made a senior senior‑team appearance as of the latest available records.
Playing style
Known for pace and ability to deliver crosses from the flank, Dessai operates primarily on the left wing but can adapt to either side of the attack. His contributions are characterized by width creation and occasional goal scoring.
Honours
- Indian Super League League Winners’ Shield: 2019–20 (FC Goa)
Personal life
Dessai hails from a Goan family with a strong footballing tradition. Outside of football, he has been involved in local community initiatives promoting sports among youth.
This entry reflects information verified from publicly available sports records and reputable news sources up to 2024.
