C.K. Vineeth, the all-action footballer who won over thousands of fans with his clutch goals and outspoken personality off the pitch, has embarked on a very different journey. The veteran forward has made his literary debut with a deeply personal travelogue, released at a time when the football world is celebrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His maiden book, Oru Panthukalikkarante Indian Yathrakal, which features a cover unveiled by Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri on July 17, chronicles his experiences during a 63-day solo expedition across India. Equipped only with a camera, he travelled more than 17,000 kilometres to capture the raw, unfiltered heart of the country.
Dedicated to father
The 38-year-old forward from Kannur, who left an impressive mark on both the I-League and the Indian Super League, dedicates this literary work to his father, C .Vasu. A retired school teacher, Mr. Vasu 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 a few journalists with helping him shake off his initial hesitation, assisting him in organising 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, as he was the sole reason I attempted to write this book,” Vineeth says. “As a beginner, I do not target a specific audience like sports enthusiasts or football players. This is a book for everyone and readers are welcome to interpret it in their own way.”
The 320-page travelogue published by Mathrubhumi Books, which hits shelves in August 2026, devotes its final 30 pages to 61 exclusive photographs taken by Vineeth himself. Curated from a massive personal collection of nearly 2,000 images, the featured photographs –including a striking portrait of a young bangle seller girl in Jaisalmer and sweeping vistas from a Sam Sand Dune desert safari — are expected to draw readers directly into the moments behind the stories.
As a passionate advocate for grassroots sports, Vineeth says the inspiration for the book can be traced back to a smaller, 14-State road trip he undertook in 2020 to navigate the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 crisis. He admits it took him over five years of deliberation before he finally trade his football boots for a writer’s pen.
A history buff and travel lover, Vineeth feels that the most emotional chapters of the book involve revisiting childhood excursion destinations in Karnataka. However, it was a sobering visit to the Bhopal gas tragedy site that left the deepest impact on him. The haunting experience prompted him to write with raw honesty, reflecting his deep solidarity with victims and communities still affected by the disaster.
With his first book set to hit the stands, Vineeth is already working on his next project. This upcoming book will document a 145-day ‘Soccer Safari’ he undertook with fellow footballer Rino Anto cross India’s tribal regions in 2024. He says it will capture memories from the journey while exploring the potential for establishing local football clubs for nurturing young talents.
Published – July 17, 2026 09:26 pm IST
