Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri (born 3 August 1984) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains both Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC and the India national team. He is known for his link-up play, goal scoring abilities, and leadership. He is the third-highest international goalscorer among active players (fourth overall), behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, fourth overall, and is also the most-capped player and the all-time top goalscorer of the India national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Indian footballers of all time for his contributions for the country.
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Chhetri training with Bengaluru in 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Sunil Chhetri | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 3 August 1984 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India (present-day Telangana) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | Bengaluru | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2002 | City Club Delhi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2005 | Mohun Bagan | 18 | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2008 | JCT | 79 | (44) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2009 | East Bengal | 17 | (9) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2010 | Dempo | 13 | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010 | Kansas City Wizards | 1 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011 | Chirag United | 7 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2012 | Mohun Bagan | 14 | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012–2013 | Sporting CP B | 3 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | → Churchill Brothers (loan) | 8 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2015 | Bengaluru | 43 | (16) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2015–2016 | Mumbai City | 17 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | → Bengaluru (loan) | 14 | (5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016– | Bengaluru | 145 | (60) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career‡ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | India U20 | 3 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2023 | India U23 | 6 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005– | India | 148 | (93) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:00, 3 February 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:00, 23 January 2024 (UTC) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chhetri began his professional career at Mohun Bagan in 2002, moving to JCT where he scored 21 goals in 48 games. Sunil was part of Delhi team in the 59th edition of Santosh Trophy held at Delhi. He scored six goals in that tournament including a hat-trick against Gujarat. Delhi lost to Kerala in the quarter-finals and he scored in that match too. He signed for Major League Soccer side Kansas City Wizards in 2010, becoming the third player from the subcontinent of note to go abroad. He returned to India's I-League where he played for Chirag United and Mohun Bagan before going back abroad, at Sporting CP of the Primeira Liga, where he played for the club's reserve side.
Chhetri helped India win the 2007, 2009, and 2012 Nehru Cup, as well as the 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023 SAFF Championship. He also led India to victory in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which qualified them to their first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years, scoring twice in the final tournament in 2011. In 2016 Chethri led Bengaluru FC to a silver medal finish in the AFC Cup. Chhetri has also been named AIFF Player of the Year a record seven times in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018–19 and 2021–22.
Chhetri received the Arjuna Award in 2011 for his outstanding sporting achievement, the Padma Shri award in 2019, India's fourth highest civilian award. In 2021, he received the Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor and became the first footballer to receive the award.