Gautam Sarkar, also spelt as Goutam Sarkar, and known by the nickname “Indian Beckenbauer” (born 8 January 1950), is a former Indian Bengali international footballer and football coach from West Bengal. He completed his schooling from Baranagore Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama High School. Sarkar, one of the finest midfielders to have played in the 70s and 80s, represented the country in the Tehran Asian Games in 1974. He represented Mohun Bagan for seven consecutive seasons from 1977 to 83 and captained in his last year at the club. Known as the “Indian Beckenbauer‘‘ for his creative abilities, Sarkar earned special praise from the King of football, Pele, when New York Cosmos visited Kolkata in 1977. Sarkar began his club football career in Kidderpore SC and also played for Aryans. He was awarded Banga Bhushan by the Government of West Bengal in 2014.