Sunil Chhetri, synonymous with Indian football, has made a great place in the world of football. Born on 3 August 1984 in Secunderabad, this football player broke records, captured hearts and left an indelible mark on the beautiful game. Here is sunit chettri’s Bio Data
Name: Sunil Chhetri
Date of Birth: August 3, 1984
Place of Birth: Secunderabad, India
Nationality: Indian
Current Teams:
India national football team (#11 / Forward)
Bengaluru FC (#11 / Forward)
Spouse: Sonam Bhattacharya (married in 2017)
Height: 1.7 meters (5 feet 7 inches)
Salary: 1.1 lakhs USD (2010)
Net Worth: Around 7 crore rupees
Parents: Sushila Chhetri, KB Chhetri
Notable Achievements:
All-time top scorer for the Indian national football team.
Second-highest-scoring Asian and third-highest-scoring active men’s player in the world.
Leading Indian goal-scorer in the Indian Super League (ISL).
Six-time All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year.
Prolific career in both domestic and international football.
International Goals: Closing in on the remarkable milestone of 100 international goals for India.
Inspiration: Sunil Chhetri stands as an enduring inspiration for aspiring footballers in India, symbolizing talent, dedication, and perseverance in the world of football.
Sunil’s Early Years and Passion for Football
Sunil Chhetri’s love affair with football started early, he was brought up by his father KB Chhetri, who was an army man and was passionate about the game, and his mother Sushila, who played for the Nepal national football team. Was represented. Growing up as a military kid, Sunil changed schools frequently, but his unwavering passion for football remained constant.
Notably, Sunil initially never aspired to become a professional footballer. His primary motivation was to take advantage of his talent for football as a means to access a prestigious college and continue his education. However, destiny had different plans for this talented player.
The Emergence of a Star
At the age of just 16, Sunil Chhetri got a call which changed his life forever. He was selected to represent the Indian team in the Asian Schools Championship in Kuala Lumpur in 2001. It was here that his extraordinary talent caught the attention of Mohun Bagan, one of India’s oldest and most respected football clubs. They signed him for the upcoming domestic season and after that there was no looking back.
Over the next eight years, Sunil Chhetri displayed his goalscoring ability and uncanny ability to be at the right place at the right time while playing for various Indian clubs including Mohun Bagan, JCT, East Bengal and Dempo. His exceptional performances eventually attracted the attention of foreign clubs, including a trial with Coventry City in England in 2007, although the move did not come to fruition.
However, in 2010, Sunil Chhetri achieved a milestone by becoming only the third Indian footballer to play in a foreign league by signing with Kansas City Wizards in the USA Major League Soccer. After a season abroad, he returned to India in 2011, signing with Chirag United.
International Stature and Leadership
Along with this, Sunil Chhetri’s international career was also taking off. He made his debut for the senior Indian football team in 2005 and scored his first goal against Pakistan. His defining moment came in the 2007 Nehru Cup, where his four goals played a crucial role in India lifting the trophy for the first time in a decade.
Chhetri’s star continued to shine and he scored four important goals in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, including a memorable hat-trick in the final, leading India to victory. This established him as the face of Indian football.
In 2011, Sunil Chhetri achieved new heights by top-scoring with seven goals, including a hat-trick, in the semi-finals and final, leading India to victory in the SAFF Championship.
Domestic Success and Records Galore
Sunil Chhetri’s domestic success story also unfolded brilliantly. After stints abroad and with various Indian clubs, he joined Bengaluru FC in the I-League, further cementing his reputation as a prolific goal-scorer.
In 2015, Mumbai City FC created history by signing Sunil Chhetri as the most expensive Indian player in the newly formed Indian Super League (ISL). His contributions were huge, including becoming the first Indian to score a hat-trick in the ISL and helping Mumbai City FC reach the playoffs.
His journey continued with Bengaluru FC in the ISL, leading the team to consecutive finals and eventually winning the title against FC Goa.
International Records and Achievements
Sunil Chhetri’s international achievements are nothing short of remarkable. He is India’s all-time leading goal scorer by a substantial margin, and is the second-highest scoring Asian and third-highest scoring active male player in the world. He is now just eight goals away from achieving the milestone of 100 international goals for India, a milestone very few have been able to reach.
One of the most notable accolades is Chhetri’s inclusion in the all-time top 10 list of players with the most international goals along with football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. While he acknowledges the greatness of players like Ronaldo and Messi, Sunil Chhetri’s name is truly one of the best.
Legacy and Inspiration
Sunil Chhetri’s illustrious career and tireless commitment to the game has made him an icon in Indian sports. With a record six All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year awards to his name, he remains an inspiration for budding footballers in India.
In the ISL, he etched his name in history by becoming the first player to score 50 goals, establishing himself as the leading Indian goal-scorer in the league and second on the all-time list.
Sunil Chhetri, along with legends like Virat Kohli, PV Sindhu, and the great khali represents the pinnacle of Indian sporting excellence, a beacon of hope for future generations of Indian footballers. His journey from a young boy with a dream to becoming a football legend is a testament to talent, perseverance and unwavering dedication to the beautiful game.
India has not just got a footballer in Sunil Chhetri; It has got an enduring legacy and an eternal source of pride.
FAQs
1. Is Sunil Chettri a Nepali?
No, Sunil Chhetri is not Nepali. He was born in Secunderabad, India and is an Indian footballer who has represented the Indian national football team throughout his career. Although he has Nepali heritage through his mother, he is an Indian citizen and has played a key role in Indian football.
2. Why sunil chhettri known as indian messi?
Sunil Chhetri is often referred to as the “Indian Messi” due to his extraordinary skill, goal scoring prowess and his significant impact on Indian football. His ability to find the back of the net and lead the Indian national team has been compared to global football icons such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, making him a standout figure in Indian football history.
3. Is sunil chhettri a vegan?
Yes, Sunil Chhetri is a vegetarian. He has adopted a vegan diet, meaning he does not consume dairy or meat products. He mentions that this diet choice has had a positive effect on his recovery and digestion, which is important for an athlete like him.
4. Why is Sunil Chhetri famous?
He is the captain of the Indian national football team and Sunil Chhetri’s fame in the world of football extends far beyond the scope of captaincy. With an impressive record of 41 goals in 72 international matches for India, he has the distinction of being the highest goalscorer for India in international football history. His extraordinary goalscoring ability and unwavering commitment have not only made him stand out, but also made him a symbol of hope and inspiration for football lovers in India and beyond.
Chhetri’s achievements include leading India to victory in the Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009 and 2012 as well as playing a key role in India’s qualification for the 2008 Asia Cup. His dedication to the game, remarkable leadership on the field and unparalleled goal scoring skills have made him one of the greatest footballers to wear the Indian jersey.
5. Where did Virat kohli and Sunil chhettri meet for the first time?
Virat Kohli and Sunil Chhetri first met in 2013 at a charity football match in New Delhi. The match was held to raise funds for those affected by the devastating floods in the North Indian state of Uttarakhand. Both Kohli and Chhetri are avid football enthusiasts and the event provided them an opportunity to showcase their football skills for a charitable cause, marking the beginning of a friendship between two of India’s most prominent sports personalities.
6. Which award did Sunil Chhetri receive from the President of India and why?
Sunil Chhetri was awarded the Padma Shri award by the President of India in 2019. This prestigious honor was given to him in acknowledgment of his extraordinary contribution to the world of sports, especially football. As India’s all-time leading goal scorer and a six-time recipient of the AIFF Player of the Year award, Sunil Chhetri’s Padma Shri award underlines his outstanding achievements in football and his important role in promoting the development of the game in India. The award is a testament to his dedication, talent and inspirational journey as a footballer.