Subrata Paul, the former Indian goalkeeper and current national team director, has raised concerns about the attitude and team spirit within the Indian national football team. This comes after India's lackluster performance in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Paul, who was appointed as the national team director in February 2025, highlighted these issues during a technical committee meeting on April 17, 2025. According to the minutes of the meeting, Paul specifically pointed out "challenges faced by the Senior National Team" related to "player's attitude, patriotism, and overall team spirit".

In a recent interview, Paul emphasized that it is his responsibility to address these issues. He stated that he missed the desire he witnessed in his seniors and contemporaries, such as Bhaichung Bhutia, Climax Lawrence, Sameer Naik, and Deepak Mondal. Paul noted that their "desire to play for the national team overrode everything including injuries".

Paul's comments have sparked debate within the Indian football fraternity. Bhaichung Bhutia, a former India captain and executive committee member of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), believes that Paul should identify the players who are not giving their best so that they are not selected in the future.

Paul's assessment of the team's spirit comes after a series of underwhelming performances. Following the draw against Bangladesh, India suffered a 2-0 defeat to Thailand in a friendly match and a 1-0 loss to Hong Kong in another Asian Cup qualifier.

India's head coach, Manolo Marquez, also expressed his disappointment after the Bangladesh game, describing the performance as "very, very poor" and suggesting that the team had taken "two, three steps back".

Paul acknowledged that the current team is in transition, comprising a mix of experienced and less experienced players, which may be contributing to the lack of cohesion. He also clarified that he did not specifically discuss the players' patriotism.

Subrata Paul, nicknamed "Spiderman" for his goalkeeping heroics, had a distinguished career, representing India in 67 matches between 2007 and 2017. He was recognized as the best goalkeeper in the 2007 Nehru Cup. His stellar performance in the 2011 Asian Cup match against South Korea, where he made numerous saves, earned him widespread acclaim.

Since retiring from professional football, Paul has been actively involved in various social initiatives, including coaching underprivileged children through his football academy and leading his NGO, SP One, which focuses on women's empowerment and animal rights. He also promotes the "Make in India" brand and supports retired professional players through the "Players for Humanity" organization.

Paul's concerns about the attitude and team spirit within the national team highlight the challenges facing Indian football. As the national team director, his insights and efforts to address these issues will be crucial for the team's future success.