Sunil Chhetri: Hailing from Telangana and born on August 3, 1984, Sunil Chhetri has become synonymous with Indian football, achieving unparalleled success with the national team. Making his international debut in 2007 against Pakistan, Chhetri’s career has been a roller coaster ride, overcoming various challenges along the way. Despite facing doubts from his coach in the past, he has managed to carve a niche for himself in Indian football, becoming an inspiration to fans and fellow players alike. Today, the remarkable footballer turns 39 years old.
Here are five interesting facts about Sunil Chhetri
- Sunil Chhetri’s father served in the Army, which led him to reside in various parts of India. He completed his schooling in Gangtok before continuing his education at Army Public School in Delhi. Additionally, he studied in Kolkata before eventually making the decision to put his studies on hold and fully commit to pursuing his football career.
- Sunil Chhetri’s love for the game of football runs in his family’s blood. Both his mother, Sushila Chhetri, and his twin sisters have been international footballers, proudly representing the Nepal National Football Team.
- Sunil Chhetri made history by becoming the first-ever player to score 50 goals for India, a remarkable achievement that sets him apart in the world of football. Additionally, his exceptional talent and consistent performances have earned him the prestigious All India Football Federation’s Player of the Year Award a remarkable seven times. His illustrious journey with the award began in 2007, and he continued to receive this esteemed recognition in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018-2019, and 2021-22, a testament to his sustained brilliance and dedication to the sport.
- In 2012, Sunil Chhetri had a stint with Portugal’s club Sporting Lisbon. However, during an interview, he disclosed that the head coach at the time doubted his capabilities and considered sending him from the A team to the B team. Despite staying with the club for nine months, he only managed to appear in five matches. Prior to this, he was also associated with the Kansas City Wizards in America in 2010. However, he returned to India within a year after his tenure with the American club.
- In his illustrious international career, Sunil Chhetri has netted an impressive 92 goals in 142 matches, boasting an outstanding goal per match average of 0.65. This average is also higher than Lionel Messi (0.59), and Cristiano Ronaldo (0.62).
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