ISL star swaps jersey for writer’s pen in maiden travelogue

CK Vineeth, the versatile football player who won the hearts of thousands of fans with his goals and outspoken personality off the field, went on a very different journey. The master forward made his literary debut with a deeply personal travelogue published as the football world celebrates the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His first book Oru Panthukalikkarante Indian YathrakalFeaturing Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri, the cover was unveiled on July 17 and chronicles his experiences during his 63-day solo expedition in India. Armed with only a camera, he traveled more than 17,000 kilometers to capture the raw, unfiltered heart of the country.

dedicated to father

The 38-year-old striker from Kannur, who has left an impressive mark in both the I-League and the Indian Super League, dedicates this literary work to his father C.Vasu. Mr. Vasu, a retired school teacher, was the guiding force who constantly encouraged and inspired his son to write about his travel experiences. Vineeth also credits his family, close friends and several journalists for helping him overcome his initial hesitations and organize his raw thoughts into a well-written book.

“I really wanted my 75-year-old father to read it first and give me honest feedback, as he was the whole reason I tried to write this book,” says Vineeth. “As a beginner, I’m not targeting a specific audience like sports fans or football players. This is a book for everyone and readers can interpret it in their own way.”

320-page travelogue published by Mathrubhumi BooksThe book, which will hit the shelves in August 2026, devotes the last 30 pages to 61 special photographs taken by Vineeth himself. Selected from a massive personal collection of nearly 2,000 photographs, the featured photographs, including a striking portrait of a young girl bangle seller in Jaisalmer and panoramic views from the Sam Sand Dune desert safari, are expected to draw readers directly into the moments behind the stories.

Vineeth, a passionate advocate of grassroots sports, says the inspiration for the book can be traced back to a smaller, 14-State road trip he undertook in 2020 to meet the challenges posed by the Covid-19 crisis. He admits he thought about it for more than five years before finally trading in his football boots for a writer’s pen.

A history buff and travel lover, Vineeth feels the most emotional parts of the book are about revisiting childhood travel destinations in Karnataka. But it was his solemn visit to the site of the Bhopal gas tragedy that left the deepest impression on him. The unforgettable experience encouraged him to write with raw honesty, reflecting his deep solidarity with the victims and communities still affected by the disaster.

Vineeth, whose first book will be available on the stands, is already working on his next project. This soon-to-be-released book will document his 145-day ‘Football Safari’ with fellow footballer Rino Anto, crossing the tribal areas of India in 2024. He says this book will capture memories from that journey as he explores the potential of establishing local football clubs to nurture young talent.