Sunil Chettri Biography

 

Sunil Chettri

Sunil Chettri Biography 

Sunil Chhetri is an Indian professional footballer who is widely considered as one of the greatest Indian football players of all time. He was born on August 3, 1984, in Secunderabad, Telangana, India.

Chhetri's passion for football started at a young age, and he began playing for his school team. He later joined Mohun Bagan, one of the most prestigious football clubs in India, and made his professional debut in 2002.

In 2003, Chhetri was selected to represent India in the U-20 Asian Cup, where he impressed with his skills and ability to score goals. He made his senior team debut for India in 2005 and has been an integral part of the national team ever since.

Chhetri has played for several clubs in India and abroad, including Mohun Bagan, JCT, Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City), Bengaluru FC, and Mumbai City FC. He is the all-time leading goal scorer for the Indian national team and has scored over 100 goals for his club and country combined.

Chhetri's achievements include winning the AIFF Player of the Year award six times, the SAFF Championship three times, and the Intercontinental Cup twice. He has also been named the AFC Challenge Cup Most Valuable Player twice and has been nominated for the AFC Player of the Year award multiple times.

In addition to his footballing career, Chhetri is also involved in various philanthropic activities. He has been the ambassador for the Special Olympics Bharat and has also supported various social causes through his foundation, the Sunil Chhetri Foundation.

Chhetri's dedication, passion, and talent have made him one of the most respected and admired figures in Indian football. His contribution to Indian football has been immense, and he continues to inspire young footballers across the country.

Sunil Chettri

In 2018, Chhetri made headlines when he made an emotional plea to football fans across the country to support the Indian national team. In a video message, he urged fans to come to the stadiums and cheer for the team, saying "To all of you who are fans of big European clubs and support European clubs with so much passion, thinking that the grassroots of the game in India will improve by itself would be a fallacy. The infrastructure, the grassroot programme, the coaches, referees, the administration - it's just not possible for it to develop without your support. Sooner or later, it's going to affect you, it's going to come to your doorsteps. We need to support each other, believe in each other, and follow the game with passion." His message went viral, and within hours, the hashtag #BackTheBlue was trending on social media.

Chhetri's leadership skills have also been praised by his teammates and coaches. He has captained the Indian national team since 2011 and has led the team to several victories, including the Nehru Cup, the SAFF Championship, and the Intercontinental Cup. His ability to motivate and inspire his teammates has been a key factor in India's recent success in international football.

Chhetri's success on the field has also brought him several commercial endorsements, making him one of the highest-paid Indian footballers. He has endorsed brands such as Puma, Pepsi, and Myntra, among others.

In conclusion, Sunil Chhetri's contribution to Indian football cannot be overstated. He has been a role model and an inspiration to millions of young footballers across the country. His dedication, passion, and talent have earned him a place in the pantheon of Indian sporting legends, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Indian footballers.