Trailblazing Aditi calls time on near two-decade career

Bengaluru: Aditi Chauhan, India’s trailblazing goalkeeper and the first Indian woman to play professional football in Europe, called time on a 17-year career with plans to focus on building a stronger ecosystem and pathway for the next generation of women footballers in India.

Aditi’s journey was marked by both defining milestones and lull periods that shaped her career from the first time she wore the national jersey to her debut at the SAFF Championships, the Asian Games and her breakthrough stint with West Ham United.

“It’s not just the big games,” she reflected, “but also the goof-ups in practice, hours of training, and those little moments that count.”

One of her biggest turning points came when she decided to pursue sports management in the UK. Convincing her parents wasn’t easy for women’s sport in India is still a fragile prospect. But Aditi took the leap of faith, combining education with her footballing dreams.

At West Ham, she experienced the intensity of European football. “The game was quicker, denser, and more physical,” she said. Her time there transformed not only her technique but also her mental toughness. Back in India, she hadn’t even had a school team to train with; basic facilities were lacking and structured opportunities like the IWL or college leagues were rare. Her exposure to top-tier training in England helped her fill those early gaps.

Looking back, Aditi acknowledged how far Indian women’s football has come. “The quality of training has improved, players now have access to more competitions, and the potential is enormous,” she said. However, she urged football authorities to shift their focus from marketing and PR to player welfare while emphasising physical conditioning, mental health and foundational infrastructure.

Off the pitch, Aditi has always been open to new challenges. This drive led her to work with FIFA as a broadcaster last season -- an opportunity she hopes to build on.

Through her initiative, She Kicks, she mentors young talent and works to establish a strong support system for aspiring women footballers. Having played her career with two ACL injuries, she reminds others that “an injury is not the end, it's just another hurdle to cross on the path to your goal.”