Tiger Shroff wanted to be a professional footballer. Now, that dream may come true

Actor Tiger Shroff, after appearing in around 14 films, could be set for a career as a professional football player. The 36-year-old, who has been named in Mumbay FC's Durand Cup squad, is training with the team and could make his debut in the tournament if the club completes the required arrangements.The development ties in with something Shroff has spoken about for years. Since making his Hindi film debut with Heropanti in 2014, he has built his screen image around action, fitness and athleticism in films such as Baaghi, Baaghi 2, War, Student of the Year 2, Ganapath and Singham Again. He also expressed multiple times that he had wanted to become a footballer before acting took over.On an episode of Arbaaz Khan's Pinch 2 in 2021, while responding to a comment that he looked forced into acting, Shroff said, "I wanted to be a footballer. I was passionate about football. In school, after cricket, football was the only sport that was hyped. While I wanted to become a footballer and represent the country, I didn't get a chance."He added, "Since childhood, I have been getting offers for films. I decided if I could implement sportsman-like discipline in acting, it might work. I have been fortunate and it worked for me." That sporting discipline has remained central to his public image over the years. Shroff has trained in martial arts since childhood and has often said it gave him discipline, balance, flexibility and mental focus. His speed, agility, stamina and quick decision-making are also seen as qualities that could help him on the football field.How the move took shapeMumbay FC co-owner Zoheb Amrani told Sportstar that Shroff has been registered with the squad and is training with the team. He said the actor could travel with the side for at least one group-stage match in Shillong if the arrangements fall into place. According to Amrani, Shroff's role has gone beyond that of a celebrity face. He said he first noticed Shroff's footballing ability during an influencers league match in 2023 that also featured Ranbir Kapoor and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. That, he said, was when he realised Shroff had a technical understanding of the game. After founding Mumbay FC, he invited the actor to training sessions.Amrani also said he first took the actor's wish to play professionally as a joke before Shroff followed through.Shroff's link with football has played out in public before. In 2021, he took part in a celebrity charity football match in Mumbai with actors including Arjun Kapoor and Aparshakti Khurana. Disha Patani was seen watching the match, sitting next to him during breaks and later rushing to his side after he suffered a leg injury on the field. The injury was later seen as minor, and he was seen walking out of the stadium on his own.Over the years, he has also shared glimpses of himself playing football on the field.Beyond Bollywood and the tournament scheduleShroff is not the first actor to explore professional sport. Cristo Fernndez, who played Dani Rojas in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso, moved into professional football after signing with El Paso Locomotive FC of the USL Championship and making his debut in July 2026. In Bollywood, however, Shroff is the first actor to make such a move.Mumbay FC will play their Durand Cup group-stage matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong. They open their campaign against Langsning SC on August 3, before facing 2024 semi-finalists Shillong Lajong on August 8 and Nongkseh SS & CC on August 11.For now, Shroff's possible switch remains tied to Mumbay FC's Durand Cup plans and the club's arrangements around his presence with the squad. If those are completed, the tournament could bring together an acting career built on action and athleticism and a football ambition he has spoken about since his school days.He was last seen in Baaghi 4, which also starred Sanjay Dutt, Harnaaz Sandhu and Sonam Bajwa. The film was released on September 5 and received poor reviews and weak box-office returns.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka SharmaPublished On: Jul 28, 2026 15:32 IST