adidas partners with Indian men’s national football team vice-captain Sandesh Jhingan

The multi-year deal is set to focus on inspiring the youth.

Leading sportswear giant adidas has welcomed Sandesh Jhingan, Indian men’s national football team’s vice captain, to its family. Jhingan will work closely with adidas in engaging and inspiring the youth to take the game to the next level.

Recipient of the AIFF’s ‘Emerging Player of the Year’ award in 2014, Jhingan was named ‘Men’s Player of the Year’ in 2020-2021. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2020 for his outstanding achievement in football. 

An ardent fan of Manchester United, Sandesh will now join the adidas’ elite pool of athletes which includes the likes of Lionel Messi, Mo Salah, Paul Pogba and Paulo Dybala to name a few. adidas also has deals in place with some of the leading football clubs in the world including Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Bayern Munich, which define the brand’s commitment to football.

In India, Jhingan joins the likes of Rohit Sharma, Mirabai Chanu, Lovlina Borgohain, Manpreet Singh, Simranjit Kaur, Nikhat Zareen and Jeremy Lalrinnunga, who wear and sport adidas’ three stripes.

Neelendra Singh, General Manager, adidas India, welcomed the Indian centre-back into the 3-Stripes family at The Arena, adidas Head Office in Gurgaon. This signing further strengthens adidas’ year-long association with football while also diversifying its rich athlete roster.

Speaking about the partnership, Sunil Gupta, Senior Director, Brand adidas, India, said:

“Sandesh is a role model for many young footballers and a perfect combination of passion and talent. With this partnership we aim to inspire the youth and work towards a common goal of building football from the grassroot level in India. We are thrilled to have Sandesh join the adidas family.”

About his new partnership with adidas, Sandesh Jhingan added:

“My journey with football has been very enriching, and I aspire to make it a far bigger sport in India than it is today. I am thrilled to be a part of the adidas family, and I feel this association will take me closer to my dream of seeing India develop greater passion for football and gain a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. I feel adidas gets my passion and love for football like no other, given its long-standing relationship with the sport.”