ISL star swaps jersey for writer’s pen in maiden travelogue
C.K. Vineeth, the all-action footballer who won over thousands of fans with his clutch goals and outspoken personality off the pitch, has embarked on a
C.K. Vineeth, the all-action footballer who won over thousands of fans with his clutch goals and outspoken personality off the pitch, has embarked on a very different journey. The veteran forward has made his literary debut with a deeply personal travelogue, released at a time when the football world is celebrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His maiden book, Oru Panthukalikkarante Indian Yathrakal, which features a cover unveiled by Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri on July 17, chronicles his experiences during a 63-day solo expedition across India. Equipped only with a camera, he travelled more than 17,000 kilometres to capture the raw, unfiltered heart of the country. Dedicated to father The 38-year-old forward from Kannur, who left an impressive mark on both the I-League and the Indian Super League, dedicates this literary work to his father, T.Vasu.
A retired school teacher, Mr. Vasu was the guiding force who constantly encouraged and inspired his son to write down his travel experiences. Vineeth also credits his family, close friends and a few journalists with helping him shake off his initial hesitation, assisting him in organising his raw thoughts into a well-written book. “I really wanted my 75-year-old father to read it first and give me his honest feedback, as he was the sole reason I attempted to write this book,” Vineeth says. “As a beginner, I do not target a specific audience like sports enthusiasts or football players. This is a book for everyone and readers are welcome to interpret it in their own way.” The 320-page travelogue published by Mathrubhumi Books, which hits shelves in August 2026, devotes its final 30 pages to 61 exclusive photographs taken by Vineeth himself.
Curated from a massive personal collection of nearly 2,000 images, the featured photographs --including a striking portrait of a young bangle seller girl in Jaisalmer and sweeping vistas from a Sam Sand Dune desert safari -- are expected to draw readers directly into the moments behind the stories. As a passionate advocate for grassroots sports, Vineeth says the inspiration for the book can be traced back to a smaller, 14-State road trip he undertook in 2020 to navigate the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 crisis. He admits it took him over five years of deliberation before he finally trade his football boots for a writer’s pen. A history buff and travel lover, Vineeth feels that the most emotional chapters of the book involve revisiting childhood excursion destinations in Karnataka.
The BriefWire