Lalengmawia ‘Apuia’ Ralte, the 22-year-old midfielder from Mumbai City FC, who last donned the Indian national team jersey during the Intercontinental Cup match against Mongolia on June 9, has been conspicuously absent from recent national team selections. This absence has led to growing curiosity among fans, prompting the question “Where is Apuia?” to become a recurring theme on social media whenever an Indian team is announced.
Apuia was notably sidelined for key tournaments, including the Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Championship, and was not among the final selections for the King’s Cup in Thailand or the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers in Dalian, China.
The mystery surrounding Apuia’s absence took an interesting turn when it was reported that he didn’t make it to the squad for the Asian Games. Sources suggest that this omission is linked to an off-field incident that occurred during the national team’s preparatory camp in Bhubaneswar in May, leading up to the Intercontinental Cup.
During this camp, the team’s psychologist, who was conducting mental conditioning sessions, asked the players to complete a basic questionnaire. However, Apuia reportedly failed to submit the required form before the stipulated deadline. The psychologist subsequently alerted head coach Igor Stimac about the matter, leading to a strong reaction from the coach.
Sources indicate that Coach Stimac’s frustration with Apuia’s attitude had been simmering for a while, contributing to the midfielder’s exclusion from the squad. Despite questions arising from fans and the media, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has chosen not to provide an official response, leaving the situation shrouded in speculation.
“We do not know why Apuia failed to submit the form. He may have needed some help. In this case, after the psychologist’s complaint, an angry Stimac told Apuia that he will never represent the national team until he is in charge,” a source shared with TOI, highlighting the unresolved tensions between Apuia and the coach.
