Report | Heart condition puts Anwar Ali’s football career at risk

Mumbai City FC’s Anwar Ali has had a dream start to his football career, since coming into prominence during the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He was also on the radar of national team head coach Igor Stimac who has named in probable squads for various tournaments, King’s Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and the World Cup qualifiers against Oman, Qatar, and Bangladesh. Ali’s injury eventually leads to him not being a part of the final squads.

It has now come to light that the 19-year-old’s career can come to a sudden halt. Ali recently underwent tests, following which doctors advised him to stay away from the sport as he has been diagnosed with a congenital heart condition.

“A medical condition has been detected,” Abhishek Yadav, All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) director of national teams, was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

“We are in the process of taking him abroad for an expert opinion from someone who is renowned in similar cases. We’re arranging an appointment with top doctors in France, and will hopefully get a clear picture by the end of this month.”

While clarity and the seriousness of the injury are still unknown, there are doubts looming over the youngster’s footballing career.

“We are in touch with the federation and will make a statement once there is more clarity. It’s not fair to say anything right now, so we would like to wait for clarity for a couple of days,” said Mumbai City CEO Indranil Das Blah.

Ali was a part of Minerva Punjab club in I-League before shifting to the AIFF-run Indian Arrows on loan shortly after the U-17 World Cup. He signed with Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) last season but went back to Arrows on loan again and helped the young side finish eighth in the 11-team league.