From Atlético Madrid’s Academy to Chennaiyin FC: Why Lalhriatpuia Chawngthu Could Be Indian Football’s Next Midfield Star

The 21-year-old Mizoram midfielder has taken an unconventional route to the Indian Super League, combining three years of development in Spain with a growing role at Chennaiyin FC. 

His performance against East Bengal offered a glimpse of his technical quality and potential. Indian football has no shortage of young players with promise, but few have followed a developmental pathway quite like Lalhriatpuia Chawngthu. Better known as Hriata, the Chennaiyin FC midfielder spent three years within Atlético Madrid’s youth development system before returning to India to continue his progression through Tata Football Academy and Jamshedpur FC.

At 21, he is beginning to attract attention in the Indian Super League. His technical composure, ability to receive under pressure and understanding of midfield spaces have become increasingly visible in Chennaiyin colours. His performance against East Bengal on November 7, 2026, was another indication of why he is being discussed as one of the country's promising young midfielders.

Hriata's journey is also a reminder of how international exposure, structured coaching and opportunities in domestic football can combine to shape a young Indian player's development.

Born on April 21, 2005, in Aizawl, Mizoram, Hriata emerged from a region with a strong grassroots football culture. His early technical ability and understanding of the game helped him stand out during the scouting process for an international development programme.

In 2019, he was selected as part of a group of 10 young Indian footballers chosen for a residential development programme in Spain, established through the partnership between Tata Trusts and the Atlético de Madrid Foundation.

The programme offered selected players an opportunity to train within Atlético Madrid's youth framework. For Hriata, it meant an extended period of exposure to a different footballing environment at a formative stage of his career.

The three-year stint, from 2019 to 2022, gave him access to structured coaching and a development environment that placed considerable emphasis on tactical awareness, positional discipline, quick transitions and the ability to retain possession under pressure.

One of the notable aspects of his time in Spain was his leadership responsibility. Hriata reportedly captained an Atlético Madrid youth selection side during friendly matches and regional youth fixtures. For a young Indian player training in an unfamiliar footballing environment, that responsibility reflected the trust placed in his communication, composure and understanding of the game.

From Spain to Tata Football Academy

Returning to India after his European development stint, Hriata continued his football education at Tata Football Academy (TFA) in Jamshedpur. The transition was important. While his time in Spain had introduced him to a different tactical and technical environment, TFA provided the next stage of his development within India's domestic football structure.

He graduated from the academy's 15th convocation in September 2024, alongside 27 other cadets. His performances subsequently earned him a pathway into Jamshedpur FC's setup, initially through the reserve structure before he moved closer to the senior team.

Hriata began making his presence felt in senior football during the 2024–25 season, featuring in the club's Durand Cup campaign and becoming part of the first-team environment. The 2025–26 ISL season gave him further exposure. He made 10 league appearances for Jamshedpur FC, accumulating 664 minutes, primarily operating as a deep-lying midfielder. Those opportunities allowed him to adapt to the pace and physical demands of top-flight Indian football.

On September 2, 2026, Chennaiyin FC signed Hriata on a free transfer, securing his services until May 2028. The move offered the midfielder a fresh opportunity to establish himself in the ISL. Under head coach Clifford Miranda, Chennaiyin were looking for technical quality and tactical flexibility in the middle of the pitch.

Hriata's profile fitted that requirement. He can operate as a defensive midfielder, a central No. 8 or in a more advanced midfield role. His ability to receive the ball in tight spaces and keep possession moving gives Chennaiyin another option when building attacks.

He made an immediate contribution during the opening phase of the campaign, providing an assist after coming off the bench against FC Goa in a 1–1 draw. However, his performance against East Bengal on November 7 was particularly significant.

Chennaiyin's 5–3 victory over defending champions East Bengal presented Hriata with an opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities on a bigger stage. He entered the match in the 36th minute after Madih Talal sustained an injury. Replacing an influential foreign playmaker was a demanding assignment, particularly against one of the league's strongest sides.

Hriata responded with a composed display. In the 59th minute, he controlled the ball inside East Bengal's penalty area despite defensive pressure before setting up Irfan Yadwad for a goal. Eight minutes later, he won possession in the middle third and connected with Ramon Tanque, who went on to assist Yadwad's second goal.

These contributions highlighted two important aspects of his game: the confidence to operate in congested attacking areas and the awareness to make useful decisions immediately after winning possession.

Rather than simply attempting to protect the ball, Hriata looked comfortable progressing play and contributing to attacking sequences. His ability to replace an established playmaker without disrupting Chennaiyin's midfield structure was an encouraging sign.

Hriata's game is built around technical control and positional understanding rather than relying exclusively on physical attributes. As a deeper midfielder, he can drop towards the centre-backs to provide passing options and help his team play through an opposition press. In a more advanced role, he can receive between the lines, turn towards goal and connect the midfield with the forwards.

His reported scouting metrics also point towards an efficient distributor, with an 89.4 per cent passing accuracy and a 90 per cent success rate on accurate long balls. These figures, alongside his ability to recover possession through positioning, offer an indication of the qualities he brings to the midfield.

The most encouraging feature is his versatility. A midfielder who can contribute in multiple roles gives a coach tactical flexibility, particularly across a long league campaign.

Hriata is yet to earn a senior international cap, but his development at club level puts him in a position to attract greater attention as he gains experience. The next challenge will be consistency. A promising performance against East Bengal is an important milestone, but establishing himself as a regular contributor over an entire ISL season will be a more meaningful measure of his progress.

Chennaiyin FC's decision to secure him until 2028 provides an opportunity to develop within a stable environment. More minutes, stronger performances against different opposition and continued improvement in his defensive game will be crucial.

From Republic Veng in Aizawl to the youth setup of Atlético Madrid, and now to the midfield of Chennaiyin FC, Hriata has taken a route few Indian footballers experience.

The next stage of his journey will be about turning that unusual foundation into sustained performances at the highest domestic level. Indian football will be watching closely.