Kolkata: Fans call his ‘Captain Fantastic’. Experts call him ‘Living Legend’. No matter whatever way you call him, it would be very less to describe the poster boy of Indian football — Sunil Chhetri who turns 36 today. The indomitable leader, the poacher on the field and the threat to every opposition, Chhetri is an inspiration to everyone.
Born in Secunderabad to an Army father and footballer mother, Chhetri has surpassed Barcelona star Lionel Messi to the second spot in the active goalscorer’s list with 72 to his name for the country. Messi has 70 for Argentina while the top spot is taken by Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo with 99 goals. Chhetri, who has played 115 games for India was named ‘Asian Icon’ by Asian Football Confederation on his 34th birthday in 2018.
Let’s have a read to Sunil Chhetri’s life:
Family
Chhetri’s father KB Chhetri was an officer in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers of the Indian Army and played football for the Indian Army. His mother Sushila Chhetri and her twin sisters played for the Nepal women’s national team. In 2017, Chhetri married his long-time girlfriend Sonam Bhattacharya, daughter of the former Indian national footballer and Mohun Bagan legend Subrata Bhattacharya.
Club Career
Chhetri began his professional career with Mohun Bagan in 2002 and went onto play for the likes of East Bengal, Dempo and JCT before trying his luck abroad. He has played for Sporting Lisbon B team for a brief period before moving to Kansas City Wizard in Major League Soccer in 2010.
He returned back to Mohun Bagan in 2011 for a one-year-deal before featuring for Bengaluru FC from 2013-15. During the 2015 Indian Super League (ISL) auction, Chhetri was picked up by Mumbai City for Rs 1.2 crores, making him the most expensive Indian player. The following year he again returned to Bengaluru and since then stayed at the club.
International acclamation
Chhetri made his international debut in India U-20’s 1-0 victory over Pakistan U-23 in the 2004 SAF Games in Pakistan. Chhetri’s first major international tournament was the 2007 Nehru Cup where India defeated Cambodia with 6-0 where he himself scored a brace. There was no looking back for Chhetri since then as he went from strides to play his 100th international appearance in a 3-0 victory against Kenya in an Intercontinental Cup encounter in 2019. He also scored a brace in the match.
The 2008 SAFF Championship started with three victories and in the opening game, Chhetri scored a goal in a 4–0 victory over Nepal. ‘Poster Boy’ Chhetri was one of India’s scorers in the penalty shootout victory over Syria in the final after the match had ended in a 1–1 draw. He was named the national team Captain for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification which took place in Malaysia. He made his 100th international appearance for India and also scored two goals including a goal from the penalty spot in a 3–0 victory over Kenya.
Chhetri led India to win 2007, 2009 and 2012 Nehru Cup wins as well as the 2011 SAFF Championship. He was one of India’s best players during the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup in which India won the tournament and thus qualified for their first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years. He was also a member of the Indian side that played in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
Awards and Records
Chhetri was named AIFF Player of the Year a record six times in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018-19. He was conferred with Arjuna in 2011 and was also awarded Padma Shri in 2019 — fourth highest civilian award. He was also honoured with FPAI Indian Player of the Year in 2009 and 2018, AFC Challenge Cup Most Valuable Player in 2008, SAFF Championship Player of the Tournament in 2011, Hero of the I-League in 2016–17 season and the Hero of the Indian Super League in 2017–18 season.
