Mohammed Salim was a pioneering Indian professional footballer, best known as the first Indian to play for a European club—Celtic FC in Scotland. Born in 1904 in Calcutta (then part of the Bengal Presidency under British India), Salim played primarily as a right winger. Despite being regarded as one of the greatest Indian footballers of all time, his legacy remains largely overlooked, partly due to the prevalent discrimination faced by traditional Muslim players in Indian football during that era. Salim passed away in his hometown on November 5, 1980. In 1976, he received the Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy State Award—his only formal recognition for his contributions to Indian football.
Mohammed Salim had no formal academic training in football, yet his exceptional natural talent propelled him to success. A chemist and pharmacist by profession, his passion for football was ignited by Mohun Bagan’s historic IFA Shield triumph in 1911. Salim began his football career in 1926 with the Chittaranjan Club in Calcutta. At the time, India was still under British rule and lacked a national football federation—the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was not established until 1937. In the absence of an official Indian national team, players represented an All India XI, overseen by the Indian Football Association (IFA). Salim made his debut for this team in 1936 during an exhibition match against the Chinese Olympic side—the first international football match played on Indian soil. Although India lost the match, Salim and the forward line were commended by Chinese officials for their skill and performance.
Mohammed Salim first achieved domestic success with Mohammedan Sporting Club, leading them to five consecutive Calcutta Football League titles between 1934 and 1938. His international breakthrough came when his cousin Hasheem, who lived in England, brought him to Glasgow. Hasheem approached Celtic FC manager Willie Maley with the idea of giving Salim—a barefooted Indian footballer—a trial with the club. Initially skeptical, Maley nonetheless agreed, intrigued by the novelty and boldness of the proposition.
Salim quickly silenced all doubts with his remarkable skills during training, prompting Celtic officials to select him for two upcoming friendly matches. He made his debut against Hamilton Academical, helping Celtic to a dominant 5–1 victory. In his second match against Galston, he again impressed, contributing to a 7–1 win. Salim's performances captured the attention of the Scottish media, earning glowing praise across newspapers the very next day.
However, his time in Scotland was brief. Struggling with homesickness, Salim chose to return to India despite Celtic’s pleas to stay. The club even proposed organizing a charity match in his honor, but Salim declined, bringing an end to a short yet historic chapter in Indian football history.
Facts:
Salim played for Chittaranjan Football Club, Sporting Union, East Bengal, Aryans Club alongside Celtic and Mohammedan.
Records:
Calcutta Football League : 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938
IFA Shield : 1936
Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy State Award: 1976
