The ISL star swapped his jersey for a writer’s pen in the first travelogue

CK Vineeth, the action-packed footballer who won thousands of fans with his clutch goals and outspoken personality off the pitch, has embarked on a completely different path. The veteran striker has debuted a deeply personal travelogue, released as the football world celebrates the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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

Dedicated to Dad

The 38-year-old forward from Kannur, who left an impressive mark in both the I-League and the Indian Super League, dedicates this literary work to his father T.Vas. Mr. Vasu, a retired school teacher, 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 several journalists for helping him shake off his initial hesitation and helping him organize 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 because he was the only reason I tried to write this book,” says Vineeth. “As a beginner, I’m not targeting a specific audience such as sports fans or football players. It’s a book for everyone and readers can interpret it in their own way.”

The 320-page travelogue by Mathrubhumi Books, which will hit the shelves in August 2026, devotes the last 30 pages to 61 exclusive photographs taken by Vineeth himself. The selected photographs – including a striking portrait of a young bangle seller in Jaisalmer and stunning views from the Sam Sand Dune Desert Safari – are expected to draw readers right into the moments of the story.

An avid supporter of grassroots sports, Vineeth says the inspiration for the book can be traced back to a smaller 14-state tour he undertook in 2020 to address the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 crisis. He admits that it took him over five years of deliberation before he finally traded his soccer cleats for a writer’s pen.

Vineeth, a history and travel buff, feels that the most emotional chapters of the book involve going back to childhood excursion destinations in Karnataka. However, the sobering visit to the site of the gas tragedy in Bhopal left the deepest impact on him. This haunting experience led him to write with raw honesty, reflecting his deep solidarity with the victims and communities still affected by the disaster.

With his first book hitting the shelves, Vineeth is already working on his next project. This upcoming book will document the 145-day “Football Safari” he undertook with fellow footballer Rino Anto in 2024 across India’s tribal areas. He says he is capturing memories from the trip while exploring the potential for establishing local football clubs to nurture young talent.

Published – 17 Jul 2026 21:26 IST