Sunil Chhetri Biography
Sunil Chhetri (born 3 August 1984) is a former Indian professional football forward who currently captains both the Indian Super League club Bengaluru and the Indian national side.
He is well-known for his teamwork, goal-scoring ability, and leadership.
He is the third-highest international goalscorer among active players (fourth overall), trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and the most-capped player and all-time leading goalscorer for the Indian national team. He is largely recognized as one of the best Indian football players of all time.
On 16 May 2024, Chhetri declared that he would retire from the Indian national team following their FIFA World Cup qualification match against Kuwait on June 6, 2024.
Sunil Chhetri Profile |
|
| Nickname | Bhai |
| Profession | Indian Professional Footballer |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | 5′ 7″ (170 cm) |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Football | |
| Professional Debut | 2002 for Mohun Bagan |
| Retirement | He said on May 16, 2024, that he would step down from playing football for the United States on June 6, 2024. |
| Jersey Number | 11 |
| Position | Striker, Centre-forward |
| Mentor | Subroto Bhattacharya |
| Records (main ones)/Achievements | • Chhetri signed with Jagatjit Cotton & Textile Football Club (JCT). During the Santosh Trophy, he scored two hat-tricks for Delhi against Railways and Orissa in the group stages.
• Chhetri scored eleven goals for JCT in the 2006–07 campaign, which saw the team place second behind Dempo. • Chhetri scored seven goals in the first Hero I-League season of 2007 as JCT ended in third place. • In December 2007, Chhetri won the AIFF Player of the Year award for 2007 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to both his club and his nation.
• He was the 2009 FPAI Indian Player of the Year winner. • In 2011, he scored 13 goals in the SAFF Championship and was dubbed “The Player of the Tournament.” • In his 23 games during the 2013–14 season, Chhetri tallied 14 goals and 7 assists. In the season’s first year, Chhetri guided Bengaluru FC to its first-ever I-League championship. • With 53 goals in 93 games, Chhetri leads the Indian football team in goal scoring. |
| Awards | 2021: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award |
| Career Turning Point | He became India’s leading goal scorer in the 2007 Nehru Cup, hitting four goals to lead his country to victory. |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 3 August 1984 (Friday) |
| Age (as of 2023) | 39 Years |
| Birthplace | Secunderabad, India |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Secunderabad, India |
| School | Bahai School, Gangtok, Sikkim |
| College | Asutosh College, Kolkata |
| Family | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Ethnicity | Indian, Nepali |
| Hobbies | Listening to Music, Playing Cricket, Badminton, and Tennis |
| Favorites | |
| Footballer | Lionel Messi, David Villa |
| Actor | Shah Rukh Khan |
| Actress | Konkona Sen |
| Cricketer | Sachin Tendulkar |
| Girls, Family & More | |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Affairs/Girlfriends | Sonam Bhattacharya (entrepreneur) |
| Wife | Sonam Bhattacharya |
| Children | Son– Dhruv (born on 30 August 2023) |
| Money Factor | |
| Salary | $110,008 |
| Net Worth | $1 Million |
Sunil Chhetri Career
Chhetri began his professional career with Mohun Bagan in 2002 before going on to JCT, where he scored 21 goals in 48 appearances.
Sunil was a member of the Delhi team for the 59th Santosh Trophy, which was held in Delhi.
He scored six goals during the tournament, including a hat-trick against Gujarat. Delhi lost to Kerala in the quarterfinals, and he also scored.
In 2010, he joined the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer, becoming the third notable player from the subcontinent to play abroad.
He returned to India’s I-League, where he played for Chirag United and Mohun Bagan, before returning abroad to Sporting CP of the Primeira Liga, where he played for the club’s reserve team.
Chhetri contributed to India’s victories in the 2007-2009 and 2012 Nehru Cups, as well as the 2011-2015, 2021, and 2023 SAFF Championship.
He also guided India to victory in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, qualifying them for their first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years, and scored twice in the 2011 final.
Chhetri led Bengaluru FC to a silver medal in the 2016 AFC Cup. Chhetri has also been crowned AIFF Player of the Year a record seven times: 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018-19, and 2021-22.
Chhetri got the Arjuna Award in 2011 for his extraordinary athletic success, and the Padma Shri Award in 2019, India’s fourth highest civilian award.
In 2021, he earned the Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting distinction, being the first footballer to receive it.
Sunil Chhetri Personal Life
Sunil Chhetri was born in Secunderabad, India, on August 3, 1984, to K.B. Chhetri, an officer in the Indian Army’s Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, and Sushila Chhetri.
His father played football for the Indian Army, and his mother and twin sister competed for the Nepal women’s national team.
He spent the majority of his childhood in Darjeeling. Chhetri spent his childhood at Pashupati Fatak as a student at Bethany School in Darjeeling.
He started playing football at an early age, competing in various tournaments.
Chhetri can speak five languages fluently: English, Hindi, Nepali, Bengali, and Kannada. He also understands Telugu, Marathi, and Konkani.
Sonam Bhattacharya, the daughter of former Indian international and Mohun Bagan star Subrata Bhattacharya, wed Chhetri on December 4, 2017.
In 2018, Sunil Chhetri turned 34 years old, and AFC dubbed him an “Asian Icon.” In 2020, he inked a three-year contract with the multinational athletic powerhouse Puma.
FIFA released a three-part documentary on FIFA+ titled “Captain Fantastic” on September 27, 2022.
It chronicles his pre-teen suffering, his 20-year-old debut for India, his romance with his future wife, and his formative years and pinnacle as a football player.
On August 31, 2023, the 39-year-old football player and his wife Sonam Bhattacharya welcomed their son Dhruv into the world.
Sunil Chhetri Family
When it comes to his private life, Chhetri keeps things quiet. Sonam Bhattacharya, the daughter of former Indian football player Subrata Bhattacharya, is his spouse.
In Kolkata, the couple exchanged vows in 2017. Sushila Chhetri, Chhetri’s mother, is a former athlete from Nepal who participated in the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.
Sunil Chhetri Wife
The legendary Mohun Bagan Subrata Bhattacharya’s daughter Sonam Bhattacharya is his wife.
Sunil Chhetri Net Worth
The football player from India has a USD 1 million net worth as of 2023.
Sunil Chhetri House
In Garden City, the most renowned and esteemed pin code is 560001, where his Bengaluru residence is located.
Sunil Chhetri Records
The first Indian athlete to compete on three continents
Indian player with the most goals in AFC competitions
The highest number of Indian Super League hat-tricks
Indian Super League’s first-ever hat-trick scorer
highest-scoring Indian player in the Indian Super League
highest-scoring Indian player in the I-League
AIFF Player of the Year seven times in a row
India’s most hat-tricks
most of India’s appearances
highest aspirations set by an Indian abroad
Footballer who received the Khel Ratna Award first
Sunil Chhetri Awards and Achievements
Chhetri has won numerous accolades in recognition of his exceptional on-field achievements.
He received the Arjuna Award in 2011 in recognition of his outstanding athletic accomplishments.
He was given the Padma Shri award in 2019, which is India’s fourth highest civilian honor, and the Khel Ratna medal, which is India’s top sporting honor, in 2021.
The first football player to win the prize is Chhetri.
AIFF Player of the Year: In 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018–19, and 2021–22, he received the title a record seven times.
| Dempo | I-League: 2009–10 |
| Churchill Brothers | I-League: 2012–13 |
| Bengaluru | Indian Super League: 2018–19 |
| I-League: 2013–14, 2015–16 | |
| Federation Cup: 2014–15, 2016–17 | |
| Super Cup: 2018 | |
| Durand Cup: 2022 | |
| India | AFC Challenge Cup: 2008 |
| SAFF Championship: 2011, 2015, 2021 | |
| Nehru Cup: 2007, 2009, 2012 | |
| Intercontinental Cup: 2018 | |
| King’s Cup third place: 2019 | |
| India U-20 | South Asian Games Silver medal: 2004 |
| Individual | Pratibha Patil, then-president of India, presented the Arjuna Award to Chhetri in 2011. |
| In 2022, FIFA honored him for finishing third among active players worldwide in the 2022 FIFA World Cup by releasing three episodes of a documentary on his life and career. | |
| AIFF Player of the Year (7): 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018–19, 2021–22 | |
| FPAI Indian Player of the Year (3): 2009, 2018, 2019 | |
| SAFF Championship Player of the Tournament: 2011, 2015, 2021 | |
| SAFF Championship Top Scorer: 2011, 2021 | |
| I-League Golden Boot: 2013–14 | |
| 2018 Indian Super Cup: Golden Boot | |
| Hero of the I-League: 2016–17 | |
| Hero of the Indian Super League: 2017–18 | |
| Hero of the Intercontinental Cup: 2018 | |
| AFC Asian Icon: 3 August 2018 | |
| Football Ratna Award (first recipient) by Football Delhi: 18 February 2019 |
The newest information on Sunil Chhetri
Indian football player Sunil Chhetri soars to the top of the goal-scoring charts and gains international renown.
In his storied career, Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has accomplished a new feat.
With his recent scoring binge, Chhetri has surpassed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to take third place among active players with the most goals.
With 93 goals from 142 games, Chhetri has an outstanding record. This is a noteworthy accomplishment for the 38-year-old striker.
For India, a country best known for its cricket obsession, to have one of its players mentioned alongside football greats like Robert Lewandowski and Ferenc Puskas is a great source of pride.
Notwithstanding India’s difficulties in international football, Chhetri’s commitment and vision have helped the squad win the SAFF Championship and Intercontinental Cup.
Even though winning a World Cup is still a distant goal, Chhetri’s achievements give Indian football fans optimism and admiration for the sport’s future.
Sunil Chhetri Facts
The parents of Sunil are from Nepal. Afterward, they moved to India.
Sunil’s father, KB Chhetri, was a retired Indian Army EME Corps officer.
Sushila Chhetri, the mother of Chhetri, and her twin sister were also players for the Nepal women’s national team.
Chhetri’s family led a strict lifestyle during his early years. He didn’t have enough money to accomplish his objectives.
Chhetri was on the verge of signing with European football teams in 2008, including Leeds United of the Football League One and Estoril Praia of the Liga de Honra, Portugal’s second level.
After Chhetri was summoned to Coventry, England on January 25, 2009, for a trial at Coventry City of the Football League Championship, Chris Coleman, the manager of Coventry City, announced four days later that they would not be pursuing Chhetri’s case.
The Hindustan Times reported on August 30, 2009, that Chhetri had agreed to a three-year contract with the English Football League.
Championship team Queens Park Rangers, but the British government refused to provide him with a work permit.
From 2011 to 2016, he led the Indian national team as captain.
The Indian President bestowed the Arjuna Award upon Chhetri.
Sonam, the daughter of former Indian player Subroto Bhattacharya, and Chhetri have been together for a considerable amount of time. In 2017, the couple plans to tie the knot.
Social Media
@tsports Sunil Chhetri won the Golden Boot for scoring the highest goal. #Celebratefootball #Saafchampionship2023
When did Sunil Chhetri begin representing India in football?
On June 12, 2005, Chhetri joined the senior Indian football team. The future legend showed his mettle by scoring a goal against Pakistan in his very first game.
Who has scored the most goals, Sunil Chhetri?
India’s all-time top goal scorer in international football is Sunil Chhetri. He is now the third-highest active goal scorer in the world, behind only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with 94 goals in 150 international matches.
Does Sunil Chhetri have any club experience?
Chhetri’s club career is a reflection of his success on the international front; he has played for prominent Indian teams like Bengaluru FC, East Bengal, and Mohun Bagan, among others.
What division does Sunil Chhetri play in?
The bulk of Chhetri’s achievements have been at Bengaluru FC; these include the Durand Cup (2022), Federation Cup (2014–15, 2016–17), Indian Super League (2018–19), I League (2013–14, 2015–16), and Super Cup (2018).
Is Sunil Chhetri superior to Messi?
Though Messi can play as a false 9, winger, cam, or even drop deep to create chances, Chettri is not even the best player in Asia; rather, he is more of a playmaker. In addition to playing midfield, he can score from long range, dribble past opponents, win free kicks, and more.
