One of the greatest footballers of the country, arguably the greatest as per stats has hung up his boots. Sunil Chhetri played his last game for the India Football Team as India took on Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup Round 2 Qualifiers. As the Indian skipper ends his glittering career of over 19-years, we take a look back at his eventful journey.
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Sunil Chhetri – A career in Numbers for Team India
Sunil Chhetri, the Man, the Myth the Legend – has played the most games for the country. He is slated to play his 151st match tomorrow as India target a place in Round 3 of the FIFA Qualifiers. With 94 goals to his name, Sunil Chhetri is the highest goal scorer for his country.
He scored his first goal on his debut against Pakistan. Following which he has gone on to score 94 goals for the nation. And it would be a treat for the fans, if he goes on to score on his final game for the nation.
In terms of highest active goal scorers, Sunil Chhetri is third in the list. Only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi stands ahead of him. Ronaldo has 128 goals under his belt while Messi has 106 goals for his country.
Matches – 151
Goals – 94
Third Highest among Active Goal Scorers in the World
Then vs Now – A timespan of 19 years
19 year ago when Sunil Chhetri joined the Indian Cricket Team he was not the prolific striker like he is now. Back then he didn’t even get his preferred Number 9 position. In fact, the then budding footballer had to start out as a left wide forward and sometimes even as a left winger. Over the last couple of years, Chhetri has been the uncontested striker in the team.
Over the years, as time progressed he continued to develop his skills. And the final outcome, India got one of the most lethal strikers to exist in the planet. Sunil even claimed that his loan spell to Sporting Lisbon was a huge boost to his career. After returning form Portugal, Chhetri unleashed his beast form, and turned out to be the prolific striker that we see today.
Best ever in Indian colours?
While some might claim that Sunil Chhetri is the best ever to don the National colours, other will disagree. At least as per the stats is concerned, Sunil Chhetri topples every other player. But if one has to consider the entire history of India’s football, then some might consider the likes of Chuni Goswami or PK Banerjee as the greatest ever.
In India’s entire history, India has produced some highly acclaimed strikers. Be it Tulisdas Balaram or Bhaichung Bhutia, Chhetri however, stands a cut above the rest.
Voice of the Nation?
It takes a special man, or even a special player to send an appeal to the entire country. When Football is no longer revered in the nation, the skipper stepped up and appealed to his country men with folded arms to come and support the team. Not too far away in history, but on June 2nd 2018, ahead of the Intercontinental Cup, Chhetri asked his fellow country men to flood the Mumbai Arena to shout for the nation.
A country of 1.4 billions and Cricket is the name that connects all household. And then out of the mist came out a torch bearer. A man who embodies India, connected India – as it it was his job.
He is the perfect example of an Indian (United in diversity). He was born to a Nepali family in Secundrabad, earned his name in Kolkata (Mohun Bagan & east Bengal) but played in Punjab. Settled in Bangalore, married to a Bengali. Can speak Punjabi, Nepalese, Bengali, Hindi, Kannada (swalpa swalpa)
Picture Abhi Baaki Hain Mere Dost!
This is not the end for Sunil Chhetri’s career. The ace striker is currently hanging his boots in International Football. But, then again, Chhetri will be playing club football for Bengaluru FC. In a press meet, Chhetri claimed that after the India vs Kuwait he would go on a break.
But after the break, Chhetri will join the Bengaluru FC training camp starting on first week of July.
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