Bollywood celebrities who own an ISL team

Mary Kom supports Hrithik's ISL team:


Hrithik Roshan According to a report on Mid-day.com, when Hrithik Roshan spotted Olympic medal-winning boxer, Mary Kom, at Pune's Balewadi stadium he requested her to attend the first match in the Indian Super League match and she happily obliged. A source close to the actor revealed that the both of them had discussed films as well as the importance of promoting football in India and how the league will help find talent across the country. Confirming the news, the boxer from Manipur, has been quoted in the report as saying that she had met Hrithik at the stadium and he had requested her to watch his team's match that evening. The Olympic medal winner further informed that since she was already there, she had decided to support his team. However, the boxer clarified that personally, she is a big supporter of NorthEast United FC.


Read on to know why Ranbir is not happy with his performance...

'Our performance last season was not good'

Actor Ranbir Kapoor, whose Mumbai City FC football team in the Indian Super League (ISL) had under-performed in the last season, is confident of a better showing this season and says that he wants the city to be proud of the team. Ranbir was quoted in an IANS report as saying that, "Our performance last season was not good at all. We have worked and deliberated a lot this year to build the right team since the other teams played well last time. So we're only looking to play an entertaining and fair game. The team that we're trying to make for Mumbai, we're hoping that Mumbai feels proud about the team and supports it." India's current ranking of 156 doesn't augur well for Indian football. To which, Ranbir was quoted as saying that, "As far as India is concerned, we have our own challenges. India is known as the sleeping giant of football. We have lots to do. But the endeavour is to make a team which will enter the World Cup. For Indian football team to enter the World Cup, we need it to set up a good team."

Read on to find out more about the Indian Super League and Bollywood celebs who own teams...

The glamorous world of Bollywood is closely connected with different kinds of sports in India. There are several celebrities who own cricket teams in the Indian Premiere League (IPL). And now, there are others who have taken up co-ownership in the Indian Super League. Also known as the ISL, it is a football league which was started in 2013. There are eight teams in the tournament out of which four are co-owned by Bollywood stars. Read on to know which star has bagged which team...

Ranbir Kapoor and Mumbai City FC

Bollywood's heartthrob, Ranbir Kapoor, is the co-owner of the team Mumbai City FC. Peter Reid is the head coach of the team which boasts of some very impressive names. Mumbai City FC bagged Sunil Chhetri for a record amount of Rs 1.20 crore. They also picked up defender Lalchhhuanmawia Fanai for 15 Lakh. Mumbai City FC also picked midfielder Brandon Fernandes for Rs 12 lakh. While FC Goa too was interested, it seems like Ranbir has settled the score. They also have picked up goalkeeper Debjit Majumder.

John Abraham and North East United FC

John Abraham has always expressed his interest in football. The actor has also played the impressive game onscreen in the movie Goal. On the day of the Indian Super League (ISL) auction, Abraham picked up some interesting players for his team North East United FC. Seityasen Singh was sold to NorthEast United FC for Rs 56 lakh. They also picked up Regal Reagan for Rs 13 lakh. The head coach of this team is Ceasar Farias.

Abhishek Bachchan and Chennaiyin FC

Abhishek Bachchan is already a proud owner of a kabaddi team from the Pro Kabaddi League. However, that has not stopped the actor from being an active part of the ISL. Abhishek is the co-owner of the team Chennaiyin FC. His team signed goalkeeper Karanjeet Singh for Rs. 60 lakh and also Thoi Singh for a whopping Rs 86 lakh. Chennaiyin FC also picked up Nidhin Lal, defender Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte and Zakeer Mundampara among others.

Hrithik Roshan and FC Pune City

Hrithik Roshan is a very popular name in Bollywood and the actor seems to be a big driving force for his ISL team too. Hrithik is the co-owner of team FC Pune City. At the auction, FC Pune City bagged midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh for Rs 1.05 crore. Jackichand Singh too was welcomed by FC Pune City for Rs 45 lakh. The team also posted a quote by Hrithik Roshan on their Twitter account which read, "We would have gone to any length to get what we wanted" - @iHrithik at the #ISLAuction press conference. [sic]"