Atletico de Kolkata achieved what no other Indian Super League ever did before -- win the coveted trophy twice in three years. Bengaluru FC, in recent times, did something of this when they won the I-League title for the second time in three years.
Interestingly, both teams have have had a similar roadmap in Indian football as well. Bengaluru FC came together only three years back and it took them just three years to set milestones. ATK, too, wrote their name in history books by the end of just the third season of the Indian Super League.
READ: Sachin Tendulkar motivates heart-broken Kerala Blasters.
Many other interesting anecdotes come up to the fore, and it does keep us surprised. The ISL 2016 remained spectacular for ATK, co-owned by Sourav Ganguly. They battled injuries and suspensions to reach the top and sit at the pinnacle of success.
Part of the game that there has to be a victor and a vanquished. Therefore, although Kerala Blasters have been left with broken hearts, they have to get back up. That's what life teaches us. That's what Sachin Tendulkar keeps saying.
Looking at some defining moments from ISL 2016
ATK crowned champions....AGAIN!
As we mentioned above, Sourav Ganguly's team proved again that it is not one or two big names that can win you a title, it is but only team chemistry and morale that can help you reach your aim. Jose Molina's side proved it in the best possible way.
Jewel Raja proves better than Iain Hume
When the Canadian hotshot forward Hume missed his penalty during the shootout against Kerala Blasters in the ISL final, the crowd at JLN Stadium Kochi erupted. Thanks to one crucial save from ATK custodian Debjit Majumder to deny Cedric Hengbart.
Indian midfielder Jewel Raja, who is relatively unknown despite picking up plenty of India team caps, took the decisive penalty for ATK and converted it, leading his side to clinch the trophy.
Marcelinho's goal blitz
Delhi Dynamos remained one of the best sides in the ISL 2016, although they narrowly missed the final owing to a defeat against Kerala Blasters in the semi finals. Nevertheless, one man from the Delhi side stole every possible attention -- Marcelinho Pereira. The 29-year-old Brazilian forward took home the golden boot award after scoring a total of ten goals in the competition.
Kerala Blasters fans continue ruling ISL
Those who have witnessed the ISL final know how the colour yellow changed the entire landscape of the JLN Stadium Kochi on Sunday. Hearts were won by the sensational out-of-the-world support that Kerala Blasters received on the evening, thanks to their fans. The average attendance from the Kerala Blasters during their home matches remained approximately 49k, according to worldfootball.net. This figure is way more than the attendance figures from other venues for ISL 2016.
FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC not invincibles
Defending champions Chennaiyin FC were humbled this side as they finished seventh in the ISL points table this season with just three wins from their 14 league games. This is the same team who topped the league phase in the inaugural edition of the ISL and lifted the trophy last year.
FC Goa, meanwhile, who made it to the semi finals in the inaugural season of the ISL in 2014 and finished as the runners-up last season, exited ISL 2016 after coming last in the points table during the league phase. Zico's army finished with 14 points from 14 games.
