Sunil Chhetri: Veteran's journey through the years

Sunil Chhetri The star The gem we fearlessly defend The icon we are proud ofThe ace Indian striker celebrates his 39th bithday on Thursday After representing City Club Delhi in his youth from 200102 Chhetri made his debut as a professional for Mohun Bagan in 2002 He stayed with the club till 2005 scoring eight goals in 18 matchesLater on in his career he would play for JCT 200508 East Bengal 200809 Dempo 200910 Chirag United 2011 Mohun Bagan 201112 Churchill Brothers 2013 on loan and Bengaluru 201315 2016presentHe also had stints abroad with USAs Major League Soccer club Kansas City Wizards 2010 and Portugal club Sporting CP 201213 These stints refined his game and turned him into a more wellrounded striker He has scored 56 goals in 134 club appearances throughout his twodecade careerAlso Read Still great at 38 Sunil Chhetri wont stop so soonChhetri represented India at age group levels from 200407 at under20 and under23 levelsHe made his senior level debut for India in June 2005 against archrivals Pakistan scoring a goal on his debutChhetri has scored 92 goals in 142 international matches for India making him the fourthhighest scorer across all of international football Among the active players he is only behind stars like Lionel Messi or Argentina103 goals in 175 matches and Portugals Cristiano Ronaldo 123 goals in 200 matchesIn his club career Chhetri has won many accolades With Dempo he won I League 200910 followed by a win with Churchill Brothers in 201213 seasonMajority of Chhetris accomplishments have come with Bengaluru FC These include I League 201314 201516 Indian Super League 201819 Federation Cup 201415 201617 Super Cup 2018 and Durand Cup 2022His international career is just as gliterring He has won AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 with India He has also helped India establish itself as a dominant force in South Asian Football with SAFF Championship wins in 2011 2015 2021 and 2023Chhetri also won three Nehru Cup titles with India in 2007 2009 and 2012He has been a part of two Indian teams which won the Intercontinental Cup in 2018 and 2023Chhetri also led India to TriNations Cup in 2023Chhetri has won the prestigious All India Football Federation AIFF Player of the Year title a total of seven times in 2007 2011 2013 2014 2017 201819 and 202122 seasonsHe has also won the FPAI Indian Player of the Year award in 2009 2018 and 2019Chhetri has also won two big Government of India sporting honours the Arjuna Award in 2011 and the Khel Ratna award countrys biggest sporting honour in 2021This Indian superstar is set to represent India in Asian Games to be held in China this year from September 23 to October 8 All eyes will be on the skipper Chhetri to lead India to the podium glory and raise the tricolour high at continental levelWith agency inputs