Nicolas Anelka and John Arne Riise join Lucio, Simao and Helder Postiga at Indian Super League 2015 season launch

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Indian Super League held launch event for new season
John Arne Riise, Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda were in attendance
Simao, Lucio and Elano some other big names at the event
Peter Taylor and David Platt will coach in the league this season
New campaign begins next weekend with finals series in December

Published: 18:40 EST, 26 September 2015 | Updated: 18:40 EST, 26 September 2015

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John Arne Riise, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka were among the big names in presence at the launch of the 2015 Indian Super League on Saturday.

The franchise competition will kick off it's second season on October 3 and the marquee players were in attendance at the event in Mumbai.

Former Manchester City player Elano was also at the event, as were Nicolas Anelka, Lucio and Simao.

(left to right) Elano, Helder Postiga, Lucio, John Arne Riise, Florent Malouda, Sanchez Watt, Adrian Mutu, Simao and Nicolas Anelka pose with the Indian Super League trophy at the launch of the new season

The players pose for a selfie taken by Elano at the launch of the new season in Mumbai

The Indian Super League was founded in October 2013 and launched last year in an attempt to make football more popular in India.

Reigning champions Atletico de Kolkata will be led by Postiga in their attempt to win a second straight title.

Postiga is listed as the team's marquee player and is joined in that bracket by Delhi Dynamos' Roberto Carlos, Chennaiyin's Elano, Goa defender Lucio, Kerala Blasters defender Carlos Marchena, Mumbai City striker Nicolas Anelka, Pune City striker Adrian Mutu and NorthEast United's Simao.

(left to right) Kerala Blasters coach Peter Taylor, Atletico de Kolkata coach Antonio Lopez Habas, North East United manager Cesar Farias, Chennaiyin manager Marco Materazzi, FC Goa head coach Zico, Pune City coach David Platt and Mumbai City manager Nicolas Anelka with the Indian Super League trophy