Edmund Lalrindika missed a goal during India’s international friendly against Panama last week. The 27-year-old overcame a severe spine injury to shine for East Bengal. He said, "I like challenges." Now, Edmund prepares for Saturday’s match against Brazil at Salt Lake Stadium, hoping to show his skills on the field.
In the 80th minute of India's international friendly against Panama last week, Ashique Kuruniyan played a bouncing cross into the far post from the left side of Panama's box. It evaded Panama's backline and came to Edmund Lalrindika, who missed the entire goal, which was at his mercy.
"You cannot score every goal. Sometimes you score, sometimes you miss. When you score, you feel like you are the best. But once you miss, everyone blames you. It's really hard," Edmund had told Sportstar in an interview ahead of the game.
"(But) I like challenges," he followed up immediately.
For Edmund, the miss will feel like a tiny hiccup compared to the adversities he has overcome. Years before he was East Bengal's target man, Edmund suffered a spine injury that kept him off the field for a year and a half and even threatened to end his career.
"That (injury) was one of my biggest challenges," Edmund recalled. "It was during my time with Bengaluru FC, and after that I didn't have any club; I didn't have any offer. So it was really a tough time for me."
However, his grit to get back on the pitch impressed newly formed Inter Kashi, which took a gamble on him in 2023. Two years down the line, he bagged four goals and five assists in 19 appearances as the club became champion of the Indian Football League (formerly I-League).
The title meant promotion into the Indian Super League, which he then won with East Bengal, whilst being the joint-highest Indian scorer (4).
But perhaps the 27-year-old's crowning moment came during the Durand Cup 2026 final against archrival Mohun Bagan SG in August, when he bagged a scintillating first-half hat-trick as the Red and Gold Brigade went on to lift the trophy at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
And now, as record World Champion Brazil awaits at the same venue on Saturday, Edmund will be looking to pick up right where he left off. "It's a dream, you know, playing against a top country. I will be very happy if I get to play, if the coach gives me a chance," he said.
Edmund, however, will be slightly sad to not be playing against his idol Neymar Jr., who retired from international football earlier this year. The admiration may stem from the fact that Edmund himself started as a winger in professional football, despite playing as a striker in his younger days.
"I played my whole youth career as a striker. But in the ISL, every coach (usually) prefers foreigners in that role. So when I signed a professional contract, I decided to start playing more as a winger," he noted.
He credits his Inter Kashi and current East Bengal head coach Antonio Habas for returning him to the striker role. "He always wanted me to play as number nine, and I refused initially. But after I scored a hat-trick in the Durand Cup final, he told me that he always wants me to play as number nine," Edmund said with a slight chuckle.
However, in the national team, being the centre forward comes with a lot of added pressure, especially as the search for a true successor to Sunil Chhetri continues. But Edmund was quick to ward off any comparisons, saying that "no one can replace" the former India captain.
"I have my own path, and I still have a long way to go. I am just trying to improve every day," he asserted.
And what better stage to announce himself to the world than against giants of the sport like Brazil and Uruguay, especially in front of the Kolkata support.
Edmund pointed out how he is eager to see a stadium usually filled with fans divided by club rivalries cheer together for a change.
"I think it will be really special because it will be in Kolkata. I know the atmosphere of a Kolkata derby. I think it is far the best atmosphere in India," he said, adding, "And now East Bengal and Mohun Bagan fans will be together. I know the atmosphere will be on a different level. So I'm really excited, and I hope we can give some joy to our fans."