Sunil Chhetri, the charismatic captain of the Indian football team, once again led his nation to triumph in a mesmerizing fashion. With an astounding ninth SAFF Championship title under their belt, the Indian team emerged victorious after a thrilling penalty shootout against Kuwait. Chhetri, a stalwart of Indian football for nearly two decades, has become an iconic figure, igniting the passion and determination of an entire generation of players.
At the age of 38, Chhetri showcases his unwavering talent as a prolific goal scorer, propelling India to recent glories in the Inter-continental Cup and the SAFF Championship, both achieved in an awe-inspiring four-week span. His name now shines brightly as the third-highest scorer of international goals among active footballers, further solidifying his status as a global legend.
Read More: Top 10 best goals of Sunil Chhetri: Inspiring a nation through football excellence
A Legendary Journey: Sunil Chhetri’s Records in Indian Football
Sunil Chhetri, a name that reverberates through the halls of Indian football, has left an indelible mark on the sport. With an astounding record of 93 goals from 142 matches, he stands just behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the active international goal-scoring race. On the all-time list, Chhetri holds the fourth position, with only the legendary Ali Daei ahead of him.
But his achievements don’t stop there. Chhetri’s journey is adorned with captivating records and groundbreaking milestones that have forever etched his name in football history:
1. International Debut and Most-Capped Player: It all began in 2005, when Chhetri made his international debut against Pakistan at the age of 20, in Quetta. Since then, he has gone on to become India’s most-capped player, with an astonishing 142 appearances. In 2012, he was rightfully appointed as the permanent captain of the Indian national team, a role he continues to fulfill with passion and distinction.
2. Four International Hat-Tricks: Chhetri’s talent shines brightest on the field, evident in his remarkable four international hat-tricks. The first came against Tajikistan in 2008, followed by memorable performances against Vietnam in 2010 and Chinese Taipei in 2018. His most recent hat-trick occurred in the SAFF opener against Pakistan, further solidifying his position as a prolific goal scorer.
3. Representation in Different Continents: A true globetrotter, Chhetri stands as the only Indian player to have represented Asia, Europe, and North America. In 2010, he donned the jersey of Sporting Clube de Portugal in Europe and later appeared for the Kansas City Wizards in North America, where he played a crucial role in their triumphant 2-1 victory against Manchester United in an international friendly, playing 21 minutes after replacing Teal Bunbury in the 69th minute.
4. Record Goal Scorer in Indian Super League (ISL): When it comes to Indian football leagues, Chhetri’s impact is unparalleled. He holds the record for being the highest Indian goal scorer in the history of the Indian Super League (ISL), with an astonishing 56 goals. In the overall league history, he ranks second in terms of goals scored, followed closely by Bartholomew Ogbeche with 62 goals.
5. Highest Indian Goal Scorer in I-League: Notably, Chhetri’s brilliance extends to the I-League as well, where he stands as the all-time highest Indian goal scorer, finding the back of the net an incredible 90 times. Bhaichung Bhutia follows suit with 89 goals and RC Prakash claims third spot with an impressive 49 goals.
6. Seven-Time AIFF Player of the Year: His remarkable contributions have garnered widespread recognition, as Chhetri has been honored with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year award seven consecutive times. From 2007 to 2014 and then in 2017, 2019, and 2022, he has consistently stood out as the best in the nation, surpassing the previous record of three awards held by M. Vijayan. Jo Paul Ancheri and Bhaichung Bhutia both achieved the honor twice as well.
7. Top Scorer in AFC Cup and AFC Champions League Qualifications: Chhetri’s influence extends to the continental stage as well. He boasts the highest number of goals scored by an Indian player in the AFC Cup and AFC Champions League qualifications, with an impressive tally of 19. His performances for Churchill Brothers and Bengaluru FC in 31 AFC Cup matches and two ACL qualifying games have showcased his prowess on the grandest of stages.
8. Khel Ratna Award: In 2021, Chhetri achieved an extraordinary feat, becoming the first footballer to be honored with the prestigious Khel Ratna award, the highest accolade for any sportsperson in India. This recognition solidifies his status as a true icon in Indian sports history.
9. Most hat-tricks by an Indian player in the Indian Super League (ISL): With two remarkable hat-tricks to his name, Chhetri is the first Indian player to score multiple hat-tricks in ISL. His first awe-inspiring hat-trick came in 2015, while he was playing for Mumbai City FC mesmerizing fans as he dismantled NorthEast United FC. The magic continued in the 2017-18 season, when Chhetri unleashed his brilliance against FC Pune City, propelling Bengaluru FC to a resounding 3-1 victory.
10. First Indian player to score hat-trick in ISL: Sunil Chhetri became the first Indian player to accomplish a remarkable hat-trick in the Indian Super League (ISL). This historic achievement unfolded in 2015, when Chhetri donned the jersey of Mumbai City FC. The memorable hat-trick unfolded in a resounding victory against NorthEast United FC, with the Islanders emerging triumphant with a commanding 5-1 score line.
Sunil Chhetri’s journey is a testament to unwavering dedication, unparalleled skill, and a burning passion for the beautiful game. With each record broken and milestone surpassed, he continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations of Indian footballers, leaving an everlasting legacy that will be cherished for years to come.
Also Read: Sunil Chhetri’s Milestone: A Goal-Scoring Force to Be Reckoned With
