Days after his 21st birthday Macarton Nickson receives his first India call-up Manolo Marquez | Football News
Some birthday presents are unforgettable, and for Macarton Nickson, this one tops them all. Just days after turning 21 (his birthday is on March 19), the talented NorthEast United midfielder received a call that every young footballer dreams of — an invitation to join India’s senior national team. Head coach Manolo Marquez has summoned Nickson to the camp in Shillong, where the squad is gearing up for the crucial Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh.
His selection comes on the heels of a setback for India—star midfielder Brandon Fernandes was ruled out after picking up an injury in a dominant 3-0 friendly win over the Maldives. But while one door closes, another swings wide open, and Nickson is stepping through it with purpose.
NorthEast United have been the surprise package of the season. Not only did they lift the prestigious Durand Cup, but they also stormed into the ISL playoffs with a fourth-place finish. While much of the spotlight has been on goal machine Alaaeddine Ajaraie, who set the league ablaze with 23 goals, Nickson has been quietly making his mark in midfield, proving indispensable to head coach Juan Pedro Benali.
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Since his ISL debut in December 2023, the lanky midfielder has grown in stature, repaying Benali’s faith time and again. His stats this season —two goals and two asss in 20 games he has played — may not scream ‘superstar,’ but his versatility and game intelligence have made him a vital cog in NorthEast’s success.
Of course, then there’s his jaw-dropping performance this season at the Mumbai Football Arena where he scored one and assed another in the team’s 3-0 win over Mumbai City.
Football in his bloodFor Nickson, football isn’t just a career — it’s a calling. Born to former Indian international Lewis Nickson, the sport was woven into his DNA.
“My father was an international footballer, and through him, both my brother and I became football players. During our childhood, we didn’t play any other games. It was in our blood, so choosing football as a career was very easy for me,” he said in an earlier interview.Story continues below this ad
His journey began at just six years old with Root Sports in Bengaluru before he honed his skills at Bengaluru FC’s youth academy for eight years. Stints with Indian Arrows in the I-League followed, but it was his move to NorthEast United that truly changed the trajectory of his career.
He credits a lot of his success to Benali.
“He (Benali) has made us play like a team. He trusts everybody and gives chances to those who deserve. He is strict with me but he is also like my guardian,” he said in an interview with the ISL website earlier this month.
“Not everyone who played with me as a youngster has got this chance. So, every time the coach gives me a chance, I have to respect his trust.”
Now, standing on the cusp of his first senior national team appearance, Nickson is closer than ever to fulfilling his lifelong ambition. And if this season has shown anything, it’s that he’s ready to seize it.
