Indian football is navigating through turbulent waters these days. With the Indian Super League’s future hanging by a thread due to contractual disputes between the AIFF and FSDL, and the I-League stepping up to fill the void, the second tier has become the unlikely protagonist of Indian football’s current chapter.
Against this backdrop of administrative chaos, clubs are quietly going about their business, and Rajasthan United FC has just made a signing statement.
Enter Jordan Lamela Garrido – a 24-year-old Spanish forward who has become something of an I-League veteran despite his youth. Signed until the end of the 2025-26 season from SC Bengaluru, Lamela arrives in Jaipur with a mission: to add the versatility and attacking thrust that could propel Rajasthan United from mid-table mediocrity to playoff contention.
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The Swiss Army Knife of Indian Football
If there’s one word that defines Lamela’s career in India, it’s “versatility.” Over 47 appearances across two I-League clubs. 30 with Inter Kashi and 17 with SC Bengaluru. The San Fernando native has been deployed in virtually every position you can imagine.
Ten games in central midfield, eight on the right side, seven as a centre-forward, and various stints as a left winger, left midfielder, right winger, and even at left-back. He’s the footballing equivalent of that friend who can play every instrument in the band.
But here’s the thing about versatility: it’s only valuable if it comes with end product. And Lamela delivers. Despite being moved around like a chess piece, he’s managed nine I-League goals and six assists.
More impressively, during his time at Inter Kashi last season, he made 30 appearances with six goals and four assists, becoming a pivotal creative outlet. At SC Bengaluru this season, he’s already netted once and provided an assist in limited playing time, including a memorable goal and assist in their 2-0 victory over Shillong Lajong FC in February.
What Rajasthan United Are Getting
Rajasthan United finished fifth in the 2024-25 I-League season with 33 points from 22 matches. Respectable but hardly thrilling. They were a team that could beat anyone on their day (remember that 4-0 demolition of Real Kashmir?) but lacked the consistency to mount a serious title challenge. The appointment of Uruguayan Walter Caprile as head coach signals ambition, and Lamela’s signing fits that narrative perfectly.
What Lamela brings is immediate tactical flexibility. Rajasthan’s coaching staff can now adjust formations mid-game without disrupting team chemistry. Need width on the flanks? Lamela can stretch the play. Require creativity through the middle? He’s comfortable operating between the lines. Looking for a pressing forward? He’s got the energy and work rate to lead from the front.
His ability to operate in multiple attacking positions is particularly crucial for a team that will face squad rotation challenges during the grueling I-League campaign. When injuries or suspensions inevitably hit, Rajasthan won’t need to drastically change their system—they can simply slot Lamela into the required position. It’s the kind of depth that separates playoff contenders from also-rans.
The Bigger Picture: Experience in Chaos
There’s another dimension to this signing that shouldn’t be overlooked. Lamela has experienced the full spectrum of Indian football’s drama. He’s played for teams fighting at both ends of the table. He’s adapted to different tactical systems, different coaches, and different teammates. That kind of resilience is invaluable in a league that’s currently operating without a commercial partner and facing an uncertain future.
The 2025-26 I-League season is set to kick off in October with 11 clubs competing in a single-leg round-robin format—a condensed schedule due to the shortened season. With 55 matches crammed into a tight window, squad depth and player adaptability will be at a premium. Lamela’s proven ability to maintain form across a long season while playing in multiple positions makes him exactly the kind of signing Rajasthan needed.
Can He Deliver?
The question isn’t whether Lamela has the ability—his track record speaks for itself. The real question is whether Rajasthan United can create the tactical framework to maximize his talents. If they can build combinations with him in the midfield and forward line, if they can give him the freedom to drift into dangerous positions while maintaining defensive balance, then this could be the signing that transforms their season.
Rajasthan United have consistently punched above their weight since their I-League debut in December 2021. From making their bow with just nine players to becoming a competitive mid-table side, they’ve built something sustainable in Jaipur. Adding a player of Lamela’s caliber and experience isn’t just about goals and assists—it’s about ambition. It’s about signaling that Rajasthan United aren’t content with simply participating; they want to compete.
As Indian football braces for another season of uncertainty, clubs like Rajasthan United are showing that the show must go on. And with Jordan Lamela pulling the strings in attack, it might just be a show worth watching.
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The I-League 2025-26 season begins in October 2025, with all 11 clubs competing in a single-leg home-and-away format. Rajasthan United will look to improve on their fifth-place finish from last season.
