During an interview to a local channel, former India international IM Vijayan was asked about his former teammate and Kerala football legend VP Sathyan. In the footballer's reply, he praised Sathyan and also added that he wasn't someone who expressed his emotions well. That's what Sathyan was, a man who fought his battles alone.
Many feel that Sathyan did not get the appreciation that he was due during the peak of his career. He starred for the Kerala state team. Starting with the 1983 edition and nine years later, helped Kerala's 17-year wait for the title.