15 Facts About Sunil Chhetri That Are Sure To Surprise You

The dynamic Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri is in the news for two reasons: 1. His emotional appeal to the people of the country to turn up to watch the India versus Kenya football encounter in Mumbai which went viral, and 2. His brace against the African nation in his 100th international match which contributed to a 3-0 win over the visitors.

While every big name from the world of sports, entertainment and politics retweeted Chhetri’s appeal, people honoured him by filling the stadium to watch a game which is, unfortunately, still a poor cousin to cricket in India.

But did you know that if you put down that fanatic-cricket-fan glasses you wear and see properly, you’d find that Chhetri is actually one of the world’s best football players? And there is proof! Read on.

1. Sunil Chhetri has the world’s highest goals per match ratio in international football among current players.

His goals per match ratio is 0.61, which is higher than Lionel Messi’s 0.52 and Cristiano Ronaldo’s 0.54.

2. Among current players, he is the third highest goalscorer in international football in the world.

With 61 goals, Chettri is only behind Messi’s 64 and Ronaldo’s 81.

3. With 100 caps, Sunil Chhetri is the most-capped player for Indian national team.

4. He is the all-time top goalscorer for Indian national team, with 61 goals in 100 appearances.

5. India has lost only 7 matches in which Chhetri has scored a goal.

6. In 2010, Chhetri became the third player from the subcontinent to be signed by a foreign club.

He joined Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer in 2010 and later Sporting Clube de Portugal of the Primeira Liga.

7. Chhetri has played for major Indian clubs such as Mohun Bagan, JCT and Chirag United.

8. He has won for the national team the 2007, 2009 and 2012 Nehru Cup and the 2011 SAFF Championship.

9. The maximum number of goals he has hit are against Chinese Taipei and Maldives – both six.

10. The maximum number of goals hit by him in a single match is 3 – against Chinese Taipei.

11. He made 230 apps for clubs and has scored 118 goals in total.

12. In 2011 Asian Cup, Chhetri became the first Indian after Inder Singh to score in more than one match during the cup.

He scored against Bahrain and the powerful South Korea.

13. In 2011 he became the third Indian player to win AIFF Player of the Year award twice.

The other two are Bhaichung Bhutia and Vijayan.

14. Chhetri was born to Indian Army officer KB Chhetri and Sushila Chhetri in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana).

He got admission to the prestigious Asutosh College in Kolkata after Class 12th but chose football over college.

15. His wife, Sonam, is the daughter of Mohun Bagan legend Subrata Bhattacharya.

Hail the talismanic Sunil Chhetri!