Akash Mishra holds cherished memories of Goa’s Fatorda Stadium: he lifted the Indian Super League (ISL) trophy with Hyderabad FC here in 2022, and witnessed his current club Mumbai City FC stage a dramatic 3-2 comeback against FC Goa in the 2023-24 ISL Cup semifinals. But that latter memory is tinged with sorrow—he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in the 13th minute of the game, sidelining him for over 550 days.
“I wouldn’t wish this injury on any player, because only I know the ordeal I went through and how tough it was,” Akash told Sportstar.
The injury forced him to miss an entire season, wiping out a crucial year of club and international football. He could only watch as India drew with Kuwait in World Cup qualifiers, failed to defend the Intercontinental Cup, and endured a forgettable Asian Cup qualifying campaign. “Mentally, it’s brutal,” Akash explained. “When you see other teams playing while you’re stuck at home, doubts creep in—Will I ever play again? And if I do, will I be the same player?”
Akash underwent surgery in May last year and completed his rehabilitation at the Assam High Performance Centre in Kokrajhar. On October 24, 551 days after his injury, he made his competitive return, featuring for Mumbai City in a 4-1 win over Sporting Club Delhi—at the very stadium where he had left on crutches 18 months earlier.
“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who supported me: the medical team, the club, my agent, and most importantly, my mom, dad, and younger sister. Their support was vital in my comeback,” Akash said.
The 2022-23 AIFF Emerging Player of the Year realized acceptance was his only path forward, channeling his resilience into reinventing his game—shifting focus from raw pace to tactical positioning. “When you’re playing at a high level and get injured, people’s expectations stay the same. But once your body undergoes surgery, things can never be identical,” he noted.
Akash has transformed from an attacking full-back into a defensively solid presence, locking down the left flank with poise. Whether blocking Lamgoulen Hangshing’s key pass in the box or clearing Noah Sadaoui’s cross off the goal line, the 23-year-old has made a standout impact since his return in the Super Cup.
India men’s head coach Khalid Jamil, who was in Goa scouting players for the Asian Cup qualifiers, took notice. On November 5, Akash earned a recall to the national camp. “My focus is to build momentum gradually. We’ve played three games now, and Coach Khalid must have seen something in me to call me up. I’ll give 100% in the camp, and if he feels I deserve a chance, that would be the ultimate reward,” Akash said. “Playing for India has always been my dream since I started football. I’ve represented India before, and I’m eager to do it again after overcoming this injury.”
Against Kerala Blasters—including his crucial clearance of Sadaoui’s cross—Akash helped Mumbai City stay defensively solid as the team secured a late winner (an own goal by Freddy Lallawmawma) to book a semifinal spot. “If we hadn’t fought, we wouldn’t have qualified. All the players showed great character. Sometimes you get stuck in games and have to dig deep to find a goal—tonight was one of those nights. That’s why I joined Mumbai City: this team has heart,” he stated.
Akash has started every Super Cup match for Mumbai City, and the semifinal will see him face FC Goa at Fatorda Stadium—nearly 20 months after his devastating injury. “You can never write off Mumbai City. We came back against Goa on this very ground before, and we hope to do it again,” he said.
For Akash, life has come full circle—a journey that turned a 21-year-old boy into a man. With another high-stakes West Coast derby lined up at the same venue, he’s ready to step up once more.
