Khumanthem Ninthoinganba Meetei (born 13 July 2001), commonly known as Ninthoi, is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Indian Super League club Punjab.
Career
Born in Manipur, Meetei was part of the AIFF Elite Academy batch that was preparing for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup to be hosted in India.[1] After the tournament, Meetei was selected to play for the Indian Arrows, an All India Football Federation-owned team that would consist of India under-20 players to give them playing time.[2] He made his professional debut for the side 5 December 2017 against Minerva Punjab. He came on as an 85th-minute substitute as Indian Arrows lost 2–0.[3]
NorthEast United
Ninthoinganba Meetei, fondly known as Ninthoi was signed by NorthEast United following a terrific 2018-19 campaign for the Indian Arrows on a 3 years deal. Ninthoi had a formidable Indian Super League debut with NorthEast United, making 11 appearances and averaging 18 passes per game. He was retained ahead of the 2020-21 season.
Chennaiyin
On 7 September 2021, Chennaiyin announced that they had completed the signing of Ninthoi on a three-year deal.[4]
International
Meetei represented the India under-17 side which participated in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup which was hosted in India.[1]
He won the Most Valuable Player Award in 2019 SAFF U-18 Championship.
Career statistics
Club
- As of 20 April 2024[5]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | AFC | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Indian Arrows | 2017–18 | I-League | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | |
| 2018–19 | 15 | 2 | 2[a] | 0 | — | 17 | 2 | |||
| Total | 25 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2 | ||
| NorthEast United | 2019–20 | Indian Super League | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 11 | 0 | |
| 2020–21 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 13 | 0 | |||
| Total | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||
| Chennaiyin | 2021–22 | Indian Super League | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 14 | 1 | |
| 2022–23 | 12 | 0 | 6[b][a] | 0 | — | 18 | 0 | |||
| 2023–24 | 19 | 2 | 4[b][a] | 0 | — | 23 | 2 | |||
| Total | 45 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 3 | ||
| Punjab | 2024–25 | Indian Super League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| Career total | 94 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 5 | ||
Honours
India U-19
References
- ^ a b Selvaraj, Jonathan (3 October 2017). "How 14,000 became 21: The story of India's history boys". ESPN.in. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- ^ "Matos Names 25-member Indian Arrows Squad for Hero I-league 2017-18". The All India Football Federation. 29 November 2017. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
- ^ "Indian Arrows 0-2 Minerva Punjab". Soccerway.
- ^ "Official – Chennaiyin FC signs promising Indian midfielder Ninthoi Meetei". iftwc.com. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ Ninthoinganba Meetei at Soccerway