The Indian football team won their ninth SAFF Championship championship with a penalty shootout victory over Kuwait. Sunil Chhetri, the Indian captain who has been a major figure in Indian football for almost two decades and served as an inspiration to a generation of players, led the team to victory. The skipper however, looks brimming with confidence as AFC Asian Cup 2023 and World Cup 2026 approaches.
“This SAFF Championship was special. Because we had Lebanon and Kuwait and we still won,”, the 38-year-old said.
At 38 years old, Chhetri has shown to be a prolific goal scorer, playing a big role in India’s recent victories in the Inter-Continental Cup and the SAFF Championship, both of which occurred within the last three weeks.
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Chhetri’s goal tally of 92 from 142 appearances ranks him only behind Cristiano Ronaldo (123 goals from 200 caps) and Lionel Messi (103 from 175). On the all-time list, Chhetri is fourth, with Iranian icon Ali Daei ahead of him, having scored 109 goals in 148 appearances.
“When it comes to giving your best for the country, I can beat even Messi and Ronaldo,” the striker oozed with confidence.
However, The captain prioritized aiding the national team’s advancement over pursuing personal recognition or individual achievements.
Regardless of his impressive physical condition, time is an inevitable factor that affects us all, including mortal beings. As questions about retirement arise, and in the case of Chhetri, it becomes a matter of national concern.
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The captain, hailing from Secunderabad, has refrained from setting a specific timeframe for the day that Indian football fears to contemplate. However, he expressed that he remains motivated to proudly represent the nation and will only retire when the passion within him fades away.
“I feel great right now, and I’m inspired to do well for the country. The day I don’t feel that I will quit. But I don’t know when that happens,” the captain stated.
“The Asian Cup will be so important for us and we are all desperate to get to group stages,” the 38-year-old asserted.
Continuing the successful season led by Croatian coach Igor Stimac, Chhetri expressed that the primary objective for Team India now is to excel in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup. The tournament is slated to commence in the early months of next year. In the competition, the Blue Tigers will participate in Group B alongside Syria, Uzbekistan, and Australia.
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