ImportMaster at 17:46, 16 May 2022

2022-05-16T17:46:18Z

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{{short description|Indian footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Lalengmawia Ralte
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname = Lalengmawia Ralte
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2000|10|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Aizawl]], [[Mizoram]], [[India]]
| height = {{height|m=1.78}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/82020/Lalengmawia_Ralte.html|title=Lalengmawia Ralte|first=Benjamin|last=Strack-Zimmermann|website=www.national-football-teams.com}}</ref>
| currentclub = [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]
| clubnumber = 45
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = [[AIFF Elite Academy]]
| years1 = 2017–2019
| clubs1 = [[Indian Arrows]]
| caps1 = 13
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2019–2021
| clubs2 = [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]]
| caps2 = 32
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2021–
| clubs3 = [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]
| caps3 = 20
| goals3 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2017
| nationalteam1 = [[India national under-17 football team|India U17]]
| nationalcaps1 = 8
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2021–
| nationalteam2 = [[India national under-23 football team|India U23]]
| nationalcaps2 = 2
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalteam3 = [[India national football team|India]]
| nationalcaps3 = 10
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2021–
| club-update = 16:50, 5 March 2022 (UTC).
| nationalteam-update = 30 October 2021
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Country|{{fb|IND}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[SAFF Championship]]}}
{{Medal|W| [[2021 SAFF Championship|2021 Maldives]]|}}
}}

'''Lalengmawia Ralte''' (born 17 October 2000), commonly known by his nickname '''Apuia''', is an Indian professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[Midfielder (association football)|midfielder]] for [[Indian Super League]] club [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]] and the [[India national football team|Indian national team]]. He is the youngest player in the history to captain an Indian Super League club, by doing so for [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]], at an age of 20 years and 44 days.<ref>{{cite news|title=ISL’s youngest captain Lalengmawia Ralte gives Northeast a song for the future|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/isl-youngest-captain-lalengmawia-apuia-ralte-northeast-united-song-for-future-7104515/lite/|date= 16 December 2020|access-date= 13 August 2021|website=The Indian Express}}</ref>

== Club career ==
=== Youth career ===
Lalengmawia started playing football at the tender age of 6. His first big break arrived when he was selected to play in his school team for the U14 [[Subroto Cup]], an international inter-school football tournament that is held annually in [[New Delhi]], India.<ref>{{cite web|title=Who is Apuia Ralte? 10 things to know about ISL's Emerging Player of the Season|url=https://thebridge.in/football/apuia-ralte-isl-emerging-player-10-things-20468|date=31 March 2021|website=The Bridge}}</ref> He spent a couple of years at the Regional Sports Training Centre football academy in [[Kolasib]], [[Mizoram]] and trained under HC Zarzoliana.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet Apuia, the great new hope of Indian football|url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/big-story/meet-apuia-the-great-new-hope-of-indian-football-111617626892037.html|date=7 April 2021|website=Mint Lounge}}</ref>
In January 2016, he went to the trials for the [[2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup|2017 Under-17 World Cup]] squad that took place in [[Mizoram]] and thus joined the [[AIFF Elite Academy]], in [[Goa]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet Apuia, the great new hope of Indian football|url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/big-story/meet-apuia-the-great-new-hope-of-indian-football-111617626892037.html|date=7 April 2021|website=Mint Lounge}}</ref>

=== Indian Arrows ===

==== 2017-18 season ====
On 29 November 2017, Lalengmawia was selected to play for the [[Indian Arrows]], an [[All India Football Federation]] owned team that would consist of [[India national under-20 football team|India under-20]] players to give them playing time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Matos Names 25-member Indian Arrows Squad for Hero I-league 2017-18|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/matos-names-25-member-indian-arrows-squad-for-hero-i-league-2017-18|accessdate=29 November 2017|work=The All India Football Federation|date=29 November 2017}}</ref> He made his professional debut for the side on 23 February 2018, against his hometown club [[Aizawl F.C.|Aizawl]]. He started and played the full match as [[Indian Arrows]] lost 3–0.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aizawl 3-0 Indian Arrows|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/23/india/i-league/aizawl-fc/aiff-xi/2684040/|website=Soccerway}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=I-League 2017-18: Aizawl FC 3-0 Indian Arrows - Lalkhawpuimawia brace breaks nine-match winless run for defending champions|url=https://www.goal.com/en/match/aizawl-v-indian-arrows/bzaa26ngpkjiab0y3swp07syy|date=23 February 2018|website=Goal.com}}</ref>

In his debut season, Lalengmawia made three appearances, including one in the [[2018 Indian Super Cup]] for the [[Indian Arrows|Arrows]].

==== 2018-19 season ====
On 13 January 2019, Lalengmawia scored his first goal for the development club against [[Shillong Lajong F.C.|Shillong Lajong]], in a dominant 3–0 win. He made some space for himself and pulled the trigger from just inside the box to see the ball nestle into the top corner.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shillong Lajong 0-3 Indian Arrows|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/01/13/india/i-league/lajong-sc/aiff-xi/2928189/|website=Soccerway}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=I-League 2018-19: Dominant Indian Arrows send Shillong Lajong packing|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/shillong-lajong-v-indian-arrows/43yc0p6scrd8cvlt7lrdyi5ii|date=13 January 2019|website=Goal.com}}</ref> He featured in 11 matches of the [[2018–19 I-League]] campaign and also once in the [[2019 Indian Super Cup]] as he played well whenever he was called upon and contributed to the ideas head coach [[Floyd Pinto|Pinto]] had in his mind.<ref>{{cite news|title=The development of the Indian Arrows project under Floyd Pinto – A complete review|url=https://khelnow.com/football/i-league-2018-19-indian-arrows-gameplay-review|date=5 March 2019|website=KhelNow}}</ref>

===NorthEast United===

==== 2019-20 season: Debut in the ISL ====
On 23 May 2019, [[Indian Super League]] club [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]] secured the services of Lalengmawia for the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=ISL: NorthEast United rope in Lalengmawia from Indian Arrows|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-northeast-united-lalengmawia-indian-arrows/1i7znpz19gu5h1lvx48b62cgrx|date=23 May 2019|website=Goal.com}}</ref> On 18 December 2019, he made his professional debut for the club in the 9th matchweek of the [[2019–20 Indian Super League season|2019–20 Indian Super League]] campaign against [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]], in a 2–0 loss.<ref>{{cite web|title=NorthEast United 0-2 Bengaluru|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/12/18/india/indian-super-league/northeast-united/bengaluru/3154708/|website=Soccerway}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ISL 2019-20: Bengaluru FC get the job done against NorthEast United FC|url=https://www.goal.com/en-ph/match/northeast-united-v-bengaluru/852uwhpv19kjsv3pe9log50mi|date=18 December 2019|website=Goal.com}}</ref> This started of him being more involved in the starting XI following this match.

The [[2019–20 Indian Super League season|2019–20 Indian Super League]] season was yet another one to forget for the Highlanders as they finished second last in the table. Lalengmawia, though, was one of the few bright spots in [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast]]'s gloomy season. He controlled the midfield, pulling the strings and managed the game like a seasoned pro. He impressed many with his passing accuracy, creativity and endurance in midfield.<ref>{{cite web|title=ISL 2019-20 Season Review: NorthEast United FC|url=https://khelnow.com/football/isl-2019-20-season-review-northeast-united-fc|date=19 March 2020|website=KhelNow}}</ref>

==== 2020-21 season: The breakout season ====
On 5 August 2020, [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]] extended contracts of 5 Indian players which included Lalengmawia for the upcoming season.<ref>{{cite web|title=NorthEast United Retains 5 Indian Players For The Upcoming Season|url=https://iftwc.com/official-northeast-united-retains-5-indian-players/|date=5 August 2020|website=IFTWC}}</ref> On 30 November 2020, he captained [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]] for the first time in their 1–1 away draw against [[FC Goa|Goa]], which made him the youngest player to lead a side in the [[Indian Super League]], at an age of 20 years and 44 days.

It was the [[2020–21 Indian Super League season|2020–21 Indian Super League]] season in which Lalengmawia had a breakout season with the Highlanders. They finished third in the league stages, qualifying for the playoffs for only the second time in their history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian Super League 2020-21 Season Review: NorthEast United|url=https://khelnow.com/football/isl-2020-21-season-review-northeast-united|date=24 March 2021|website=KhelNow}}</ref> On 26 February 2021, he finally managed to get his first professional goal for the club in the last game of the league stages against [[Kerala Blasters]], in a 2–0 win.<ref>{{cite web|title=NorthEast United 2-0 Kerala Blasters|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/02/26/india/indian-super-league/northeast-united/kerala-blasters/3439768/|website=Soccerway}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Just too good - NorthEast United outclassed shambolic Kerala Blasters|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/isl-northeast-united-outclassed-shambolic-kerala-blasters/jmzyx3munozp125xjznmg3qqe/match/1prhbp0uir6wpgrrbf288t4wk|date=27 February 2021|website=Goal.com}}</ref>

On 13 March 2021, his wonderful displays in the season won him the [[Indian Super League Emerging Player of the League]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Top-notch performers: Hero ISL 2020-21 season award winners|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/features/top-notch-performers-hero-isl-2020-21-season-award-winners|date=13 March 2021|website=Indian Super League}}</ref> He also won the [[Football Players' Association of India|FPAI Young Player of the Year]], on 31 March 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=FPAI Indian Football awards: Sunil Chhetri, Arindam Bhattacharya and other winners|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/fpai-indian-football-awards-sunil-chhetri-arindam/xkepb2idyo4azzob8fvb68wy#13rwr6hsyg0nl1xpw9wk3qng7e|date=31 March 2021|website=Goal.com}}</ref>

===Mumbai City===

On 13 August 2021, Apuia joined [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]] on a five-year deal for a record transfer fee of INR 2 crores ($280,000).<ref>{{cite web|title=Mumbai City FC Confirm Signing of Lalengmawia 'Apuia' Ralte from NorthEast United FC|url=https://www.news18.com/amp/news/football/mumbai-city-fc-confirm-signing-of-lalengmawia-apuia-ralte-from-northeast-united-fc-4080815.html|date=13 August 2021|website=News18}}</ref> He was part of the team as they finished the season on fifth place and failed to qualify for the [[2021–22 Indian Super League playoffs|playoffs]]. Ahead of the [[2022 AFC Champions League]] kick-off, the club went to [[Abu Dhabi]] for training and defeated Emirati giants [[Al Ain FC|Al Ain]] 2–1 in a friendly match, in which Apuia scored a goal.<ref>{{cite web|first=03:30 PM IST|last=FPJ Web Desk|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/mumbai-city-fc-defeat-leaders-of-uae-pro-league-al-ain-in-friendly-ahead-of-afc-champions-league|title=Mumbai City FC defeat leaders of UAE Pro League Al Ain in friendly ahead of AFC Champions League|website=www.freepressjournal.in|publisher=The Free Press Journal|date=27 March 2022|access-date=30 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327100652/https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/mumbai-city-fc-defeat-leaders-of-uae-pro-league-al-ain-in-friendly-ahead-of-afc-champions-league|archive-date=27 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/all-need-know-mumbai-city-fc-s-afc-champions-league-2022-campaign|title=All you need to know about Mumbai City FC's AFC Champions League 2022 campaign|website=sportskeeda.com|publisher=[[Sportskeeda]]|date=6 April 2022|access-date=6 April 2022|first=Sayantan|last=Guha|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406165901/https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/all-need-know-mumbai-city-fc-s-afc-champions-league-2022-campaign|archive-date=6 April 2022}}</ref>

==International career==
On 2 March 2021, Lalengmawia got selected for the 35-man probable national squad camp ahead of [[India national football team|India national team]]'s friendlies against [[Oman national football team|Oman]] and [[United Arab Emirates national football team|UAE]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/field/988334/india-football-stimac-names-10-new-players-in-35-man-probables-list-for-oman-uae-friendlies|title=Bipin Singh, Ishan Pandita in 35-man probables list for Oman, UAE friendlies|website=scroll.in|date=2 March 2021}}</ref> On 25 March 2021, he made his international debut for [[India national football team|India]] against [[Oman national football team|Oman]] when he came on as half-time substitute for [[Rowllin Borges]], which ended in a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/india-vs-oman-live-streaming-score-updates-ind-vs-omn-international-friendly-stimac-sandesh-jhingan-thapa/article34160773.ece|title=India vs Oman highlights: Manvir goal helps Stimac's side play out 1-1 draw|website=Sportstar|access-date=25 March 2021}}</ref>

During the [[SAFF Championship]] held in October 2021, [[Sunil Chhetri]], who was awarded the man of the match in the game against Maldives, handed over the award to Apuia.

== Style of play ==
Tough in body and mind, relentless, forward-looking and with an inexhaustible engine, that is how most people would describe Lalengmawia. He is a part of a generation of players, who insist on wanting to play with the ball.

His ability to get out of tight situations with smooth footwork and his positioning and confidence on the ball consistently make him stand out in the field. He is also adept in finding pockets of space and he's always demanding the ball, looking to direct play. He has impressed many with his ability to compete against more physical players and extremely intelligent game-reading. He is one of those players who covers every blade of grass on a football pitch.<ref>{{cite web|title=Who is Apuia Ralte? 10 things to know about ISL's Emerging Player of the Season|url=https://thebridge.in/football/apuia-ralte-isl-emerging-player-10-things-20468|date=31 March 2021|website=The Bridge}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Lalengmawia was born in [[Aizawl]], [[Mizoram]]. His father works as a [[butcher]]. His parents had always supported his passion for football and were there for him throughout. In 2015, his parents asked him to skip the trials for the [[2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup|2017 Under-17 World Cup]] squad that took place in [[Mizoram]], and rather focus on his Class X board exams. He did appear in the next round of trials held in [[Mizoram]], in January 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Meet Apuia, the great new hope of Indian football|url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/big-story/meet-apuia-the-great-new-hope-of-indian-football-111617626892037.html|date=7 April 2021|website=Mint Lounge}}</ref>

His favourite clubs are [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] and his hometown club [[Aizawl F.C.|Aizawl]]. He idolises [[Argentina|Argentinian]] forward [[Lionel Messi]], and current [[Real Kashmir F.C.|Real Kashmir]] midfielder [[Lalrindika Ralte]] is his favourite [[India]]n player.<ref>{{cite web|title=FIFA U-17 World Cup Indian team stars: 10 things to know about talented midfielder Lalengmawia|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/fifa-u-17-world-cup-2017-indian-team-stars-10-things-to-know-about-talented-midfielder-lalengmawia|date=26 September 2017|website=sportskeeda}}</ref> He also revealed that he chose 45 as his jersey number because of [[Italy|Italian]] forward [[Mario Balotelli]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Lalengmawia claims he chose No. 45 jersey because of Mario Balotelli, Balotelli responds|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/news-lalengmawia-claims-he-chose-no-45-jersey-because-mario-balotelli-balotelli-responds|date=17 March 2021|website=sportskeeda}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
{{updated|26 April 2022}}<ref>{{soccerway|lalengmawia/513919|accessdate=27 May 2018}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|Cup
!colspan="2"|[[Asian Football Confederation|AFC]]
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Indian Arrows]]
|{{Nowrap|[[2017–18 Indian Arrows season|2017–18]]}}
| rowspan="2" |[[I-League]]
|2||0||1{{efn|name=SuperCup|Appearances in the [[Super Cup (India)|Super Cup]]}}||0|| colspan="2" |–||3||0
|-
|[[2018–19 I-League|2018–19]]
|11||1||1{{efn|name=SuperCup}}||0|| colspan="2" |–||12||1
|-
! colspan="2" |'''Indian Arrows total'''
!13!!1!!2!!0!!0!!0!!15!!1
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]]
|[[2019–20 NorthEast United FC season|2019–20]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Indian Super League]]
|10||0||0||0|| colspan="2" |–||10||0
|-
|[[2020–21 NorthEast United FC season|2020–21]]
|22||1||0||0|| colspan="2" |–||22||1
|-
! colspan="2" |'''Northeast United total'''
!32!!1!!2!!0!!0!!0!!32!!1
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]
|[[2021-22 Mumbai City FC season|2021–22]]
|[[Indian Super League]]
|20||0||0||0||6{{efn|Appearances in the [[AFC Champions League]]}}||0||26||0
|-
! colspan="2" |'''Mumbai City total'''
!20!!0!!0!!0!!6!!0!!26!!0
|-
! colspan="3" |'''Career total'''
!65!!2!!2!!0!!6!!0!!73!!2
|}
{{notelist}}

=== International ===
{{updated|16 October 2021}}<ref>{{Soccerway|-lalengmawia/513919|accessdate=27 May 2018}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!National team
!Year
!Apps
!Goals
|-
|[[India national football team|India]]
|2021
|10
|0
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!10
!0
|}

== Honours ==

=== International ===

==== India ====
* [[SAFF Championship]]: [[2021 SAFF Championship|2021]]

==== Individual ====
* [[Indian Super League]]: Hero of the Month (February 2021)<ref>{{Cite web|title=NorthEast United FC midfielder Lalengmawia wins Hero-of-the-Month award for February|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/features/northeast-united-fc-midfielder-lalengmawia-wins-hero-of-the-month-award-for-february|access-date=2021-03-14|website=Indian Super League|language=en}}</ref>
* [[Indian Super League]]: ISL Emerging Player of the Season ([[2020–21 Indian Super League season|2020-21]])<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2020-21: From Lalengmawia to Roy Krishna - All the season award winners {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/galleries/isl-2020-21-from-lalengmawia-to-roy-krishna-season-award/5/ru9wqryy8xor14kckz7mbw71s|access-date=2021-03-14|website=www.goal.com}}</ref>
* [[Football Players' Association of India|FPAI]] Indian Football awards: Young Player of the Year (2020–21)<ref>{{Cite web|title=FPAI Indian Football awards: Sunil Chhetri, Arindam Bhattacharya and other winners {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/fpai-indian-football-awards-sunil-chhetri-arindam/xkepb2idyo4azzob8fvb68wy#1ehho94vvcet41nhwyqtsajxxv|access-date=2021-03-31|website=www.goal.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.indiansuperleague.com/players/midfielder-33997-lalengmawia-profile Lalengmawia Ralte] at ''indiansuperleague.com''

{{NorthEast United FC squad}}{{Indian Super League Emerging Player of the League}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ralte, Lalengmawia}}
[[Category:2000 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian footballers]]
[[Category:India youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Indian Arrows players]]
[[Category:NorthEast United FC players]]
[[Category:Indian Super League players]]
[[Category:I-League players]]
[[Category:People from Aizawl]]
[[Category:Footballers from Mizoram]]
[[Category:India international footballers]]
[[Category:AIFF Elite Academy players]]

Lalengmawia Ralte - Revision history

ImportMaster at 17:46, 16 May 2022