Mandar Rao Desai

Mandar Rao Dessai (born 18 March 1992) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a left-back.

Career Dempo Desai made his professional debut for Dempo in the 2013-14 I-League on 22 September 2013 against Shillong Lajong at the Duler Stadium and played the match till 55th minute before he was replaced by Jeje Lalpekhlua as his team lost the match 0–3.

Goa (loan) Mandar represented Goa in the 2014 Indian Super League, on loan from Dempo, and was a regular for his team on the left wing. He scored again in a round 4 game away at Guwahati against NorthEast United after coming on as a substitute, from a swift counterattack, showing his impressive pace. Mandar then turned in his first assist of the season at home against Kerala Blasters from a corner, assisting Gregory Arnolin with a goal that turned out be the winner. He won Hero of the Match awards for his performances against Delhi Dynamos and Pune City in 2015 Indian Super League. Mandar scored his 3rd goal of the season against Kerala Blasters in a 1–5 win at Kochi on 29 November 2015, where he also assisted Reinaldo for the 3rd goal.

Return to Dempo After contractual problems, Mandar returned to play for Dempo, where he had a contract until the end of the 2015–16 season where he helped his team win promotion back to the I-League.

Goa Desai signed a permanent deal with Goa from the 2016 Indian Super League. He later went to Spain for a short training cum trial stint with La Liga side Villarreal CF.

Mumbai City In 2020, Dessai moved to Mumbai City and emerged champions of the 2020–21 season. He was later included in club's 2022 AFC Champions League squad.

International Mandar captained Goa-India during the 2014 Lusophony Games where he made 4 appearances and scored once, as he led his team to the gold medal, beating the under-20 team of Mozambique in the final.

Mandar made his India U23 debut in the 2014 Asian Games against UAE U23.

Personal life Mandar was in a relationship with Danish footballer Cecilie Bjørnstrup Andersen, from 2018 until their separation in 2021. They have a daughter namely Aya and son called Adrian.

Career statistics Club

Honours Dempo I-League 2nd Division: 2015–16 Goa ISL League Winners Shield: 2019–20 Super Cup: 2019 Mumbai City Indian Super League: 2020–21 ISL League Winners Shield: 2020–21 ISL League Winners Shield: 2022–23

East Bengal Super Cup: 2024 Durand Cup Runner Up: 2023

India SAFF Championship: 2021

India U20 (Goa India) Lusofonia Games Gold medal: 2014