The Rise of Muhammad Suhail: From an Unknown Prospect to Punjab FC's Rising Star

Until recently, Muhammad Suhail's name was familiar only to those who followed Punjab FC closely.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 13 AUGUST

That changed dramatically in the 2023-24 season when the Shers clinched the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) title, edging East Bengal 3-2 in the national championship final. Suhail, just 17 at the time, won the Golden Ball for best player of the tournament, an award that fast-tracked his promotion to the senior squad.

His senior debut came in the Durand Cup 2025, a tournament that remains close to his heart.

"The Durand Cup is where I played senior-level football for the first time, and it was a totally different experience for me. I understood where I was as a player and what I needed to do consistently to play at this level," said the shy youngster, who until then had featured only in junior-level football for Punjab FC.

Leaving home at 13 for a distant dream: In 2019, Suhail left his hometown of Olavakkode in Kerala's Palakkad district to join Punjab FC, a decision made on the advice of his elder brother, Muhammad Sulaiman. He was spotted during trials in Coimbatore and, despite never having played even at the district level, suddenly found himself 2,761 kilometers from home.