The previous edition of the Durand Cup in 2024 saw Kerala Blasters FC’s Moroccan attacker Noah Sadaoui claim the Golden Boot with six goals.
Meanwhile, Mohammedan Sporting’s David Lalhlansanga was the last Indian player to top the Durand Cup scoring charts after sharing the honours with Sadaoui, who was representing FC Goa at the time, in 2023.
Lallianzuala Chhangte was the last Indian footballer to finish as the outright top scorer in a Durand Cup edition after netting seven times for Mumbai City FC in 2022.
Trinidad and Tobago forward Marcus Joseph, who played for Gokulam Kerala in 2019, was the last individual to reach double digits in the Durand Cup with 11 strikes.
Marcus Joseph had also finished as the joint top scorer in the Durand Cup 2021, alongside FC Goa’s Devendra Murgaonkar, while playing for Mohammedan Sporting.