BIO
Sunil Chhetri, considered one of the greatest footballers in the country, turned 39 on Thursday. After representing City Club Delhi in his youth until 2001-02, Chhetri began his professional journey with Mohun Bagan in 2002. He stayed with the club until 2005, scoring eight goals in 18 matches. Later in his career, he played for JCT (2005-08), East Bengal (2008-09), Dempo (2009-10), Chirag United (2011), Mohun Bagan (2011-12), Churchill Brothers (2013), and Bengaluru (2013-15, 2016-present).
sunil chhetri journey
Chhetri has won a number of honors over his club career. With Dempo, he won the I-League in the 2009–10 season. With Churchill Brothers, he sealed the deal in the 2012–13 campaign. The majority of Chhetri’s accomplishments are connected to Bengaluru FC, including I-League titles in 2013–14 and 2015–16, Indian Super League titles in 2018–19, Federation Cup titles in 2014–15 and 2016–17, Super Cup victories in 2018 and Durand Cup victories in 2022.
Chhetri has been nothing short of remarkable for India’s national squad. He has 92 goals in 142 international games, which places him fourth all-time among current players, behind only Lionel Messi of Argentina (103 goals in 175 games) and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal (123 goals in 200 games)
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Chhetri’s abilities and accomplishments have not gone ignored, as evidenced by the seven times he has received the AIFF Player of the Year award (in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018–19, and 2021–2022).
Additionally, he has played abroad, spending time with the Sporting CP soccer team in Portugal from 2012 to 2013 and the Major League Soccer team Kansas City Wizards (2010). His talents have improved as a result of these encounters, making him a more skilled striker. He has scored 56 goals in 134 games during the course of his 20-year club career.
Achievements
hhetri’s services to sports have also been acknowledged by the Indian government. He received the renowned Khel Ratna Award, the nation’s highest athletic distinction, in 2021 after receiving the Arjuna Award in 2011.
Chhetri’s contribution to Indian football goes beyond only his own accomplishments. He was a key contributor to India’s victory in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup and has helped the country become a big player in South Asian football by helping the team win the SAFF Championship in 2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023. He was a member of the Indian Intercontinental Cup-winning teams in 2018 and 2023, and he also guided India to the 2023 Tri-Nations Cup victory.
