Who is Abneet Bharti? Nepali-Origin Indian Defender Playing In Foreign Leagues In Line To Represent India

From Kathmandu to South America via Europe and Africa, Abneet Bharti's footballing journey has been a remarkable odyssey across continents. The 27-year-old defender, born in Nepal and raised across multiple

countries, has now joined the Indian men's national football team camp in Bengaluru on a trial basis ahead of the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

His future in the Indian setup will depend on how he performs over the next few weeks-a potentially career-defining opportunity for a player who has spent much of his career abroad.

Bharti's story began unconventionally. Born in Kathmandu, he moved to Rome, Italy, as a child before shifting to Nigeria, where his passion for football first took root during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Starting as a school-level goalkeeper in Nigeria, he later returned to India and represented BGS International Public School in Delhi.

His early promise saw him join Shastri FC in the Delhi Senior Division League, where he impressed as a versatile and attacking defender. Consistent performances earned him a spot in Delhi's state youth team and a subsequent call-up to the India U16 national camp.

In 2012, Bharti took a leap of faith and moved to Singapore to join Geylang International's academy, marking the start of an adventurous international career. Two years later, he was signed by La Liga club Real Valladolid's youth setup in Spain, where his technical ability and defensive discipline caught the attention of scouts from Eintracht Frankfurt and Anderlecht. Training stints with 1860 Munich, FSV Frankfurt, and Darmstadt 98 followed, adding European depth to his development.

In 2015, he signed his first professional contract with Polish top-division side Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała, becoming one of the few South Asian players to do so. His career then took him to Portugal's Sintrense, where former Arsenal midfielder LuÍs Boa Morte praised him as "a fast, athletic, and confident defender. " A proposed move to Mexican giants Club America in 2018 fell through due to a knee injury, but Bharti refused to give up.

Since then, he has represented clubs in India (Kerala Blasters), the Czech Republic (FK Varnsdorf), Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Argentina, and most recently, Bolivia, where he currently plays for Academia del Balompie Boliviano.

Now, at 27, Bharti stands on the brink of fulfilling a long-cherished dream-playing for India. Eligible through his Indian roots and upbringing in Delhi, his inclusion in the national camp marks a significant moment in his career.