When things became tough, Roy Keane, the captain of Manchester United, was the person Alex Ferguson turned to for inspiration and guidance. Similar to how Kobe Bryant, the late basketball great, flourished under hardship, he repeatedly led his Los Angeles Lakers out of difficult situations. In his 19-year international career, Sunil Chhetri has been a hero in Indian football.
Chhetri’s unwavering perseverance was most evident during a 2017 AFC Asian Cup qualifying match that took place in Bengaluru. Kyrgyz Republic dominated the pivotal game, launching vicious attacks on the Indian goal. The home team appeared to be about to give up when Chhetri worked his magic. India pulled off an unexpected 1-0 victory thanks to a strong run from far within his own half and a clean finish.
Moving on
On June 6, Indian football’s Chhetri will play his farewell international match. There will be enormous shoes to fill. When all hope appears lost, who else can maintain his composure and push forth unrelentingly? Seeking pre-made solutions would be a pointless endeavor.
When Chhetri scored on his senior international debut against Pakistan in Quetta in 2005, his deadly instinct in front of goal was developed at an early age. Due to an injury to starting striker Bhaichung Bhutia, head coach Sukhwinder Singh was obliged to start the wide-eyed 20-year-old in his debut appearance. As Chhetri’s coach at JCT Football Club, Sukhwinder saw his potential and took a risk that would pay off financially years later.
Chhetri ranks fourth all-time in men’s international goal scoring with 94 goals. He is in elite company among current football players with Lionel Messi (106 goals) and Cristiano Ronaldo (128 goals).
As a stunning testament to his superb finishing abilities, Chhetri has scored in his 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, 125th, and 150th games.
It won’t be shocking if Chhetri continues the run in his final match against Kuwait in Kolkata. Huge crowds are anticipated for the FIFA World Cup qualifier at the storied Salt Lake Stadium, which is exactly the kind of high-stress situation that Chhetri loves.
While fans will be devastated when Chhetri puts up his national shirt, they can find solace in the knowledge that their hero will still play for Bengaluru Football Club (BFC). After a dismal 2023–24 Indian Super League (ISL) season, Chhetri and his teammates at BFC are hoping for a second chance.
At Kolkata, Chhetri’s arduous trip comes to an end, but it is far from over.