Jay Gupta

Jay Gupta (born 27 September 2001) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Indian Super League club Goa and the India national team.

He spent most of his career abroad, predominantly in Portugal and Spain, between 2019 and 2023.

Earlier career
Gupta went to Portugal in 2019, after training with former Indian Super League outfit Pune City for two seasons. He became part of youth system of Lisbon-based club GDS Cascais, appearing with their U19 team in 2019–20 AF Lisboa Jun. A 1ª Divisão. Gupta began his senior club career with AF Lisboa 2ª Divisão side G.D. Estoril B in 2021. His first goal came on 26 September 2020, against Atlético Malveira, in their 4–1 defeat in quarter-final of 2020–21 AF Lisboa Taça. He then featured in trials of Odisha in the mid-season, impressed coach Josep Gombau, but the deal fall through due to technical reasons. After spending two seasons at G.D. Estoril Praia B, Gupta went on to sign with Spanish Tercera Federación club Ebre Escola Esportiva in 2023 and appeared in Segona Catalana matches.

Later career
On 7 August 2023, it was officially announced that Indian Super League club FC Goa roped him in as their new addition to the defence. He earned caps for Manolo Márquez managed Goa in 2023 Durand Cup, in which they reached semi-finals, until going down to Mohun Bagan. He made his competitive league debut on 2 October against newly promoted side Punjab, in their 1–0 victory. On 7 October, he scored first goal for the club with a curler right at the death in the campaign against Odisha, in their 3–2 win at home. Until the international break in November, he was awarded ISL emerging player of month (October), with one goal and one assist in all five matches, playing crucial role in Goa's unbeaten run. On 9 February 2024, he scored his second league goal against Odisha in an 1–1 tie in Bhubaneswar.

International career
On 7 March 2024, Gupta was called-up to the national squad of India as one of the 35 probables by head coach Igor Štimac, for the two matches against Afghanistan in round 2 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Gupta made his debut on 6 June 2024 in a World Cup qualifier against Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium. He started the game and played 83 minutes as the game ended 0–0, in which team captain Sunil Chhetri bid adieu his long international career. On 11 June, he appeared in their last game of the qualification stage against Qatar at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium as starter until being substituted due to an injury, in which India lost 1–2 and failed to move to the third round.

Personal life
Gupta was born in Pune, Maharashtra.

Style of play
Playing primarily as a left-back, Gupta is also capable of playing any role in the defensive area. He can play the role of a venture forward, contributing in attack, in addition into defensive duties.

Honours
Individual
 * Indian Super League Emerging Player of the Month: October 2023