• Source:JND
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India's legendary captain and one of the most decorated footballers in the country, Sunil Chhetri celebrated his 39th birthday on Thursday.

After making his senior debut for India in 2005, Chhetri has been an irremovable force in the Indian football team as he has given some memorable moments to the fans of the sport that has started to grow rapidly in the country.

Chhetri has represented India in 142 matches and has scored a blistering 92 goals as he is the highest goal scorer ever for the Blu Tigers.

 

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He is also the fourth-highest scorer across all of international football. Among the active players, he is only behind stars like Lionel Messi or Argentina(103 goals in 175 matches) and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (123 goals in 200 matches).

Chhetri started his professional career in 2002 when he played for Mohun Bagan, staying at the club till 2005 where he scored eight goals in 18 matches.

Later on in his career, he would play for JCT (2005-08), East Bengal (2008-09), Dempo (2009-10), Chirag United (2011), Mohun Bagan (2011-12), Churchill Brothers (2013 on loan) and Bengaluru (2013-15, 2016-present).

He also had stints abroad with USA's Major League Soccer club Kansas City Wizards (2010) and Portugal club Sporting CP (2012-13). These stints refined his game and turned him into a more well-rounded striker.

He has scored 56 goals in 134 club appearances throughout his two-decade career.

Chhetri represented India at age group levels from 2004-07, at under-20 and under-23 levels.

The Indian captain won I-League with Dempo and Churchill Brothers in the 2009-10 and 2012-13 seasons respectively.

He 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 2023.

The veteran has three Nehru Cup titles as well to his name, having won them in 2007, 2009, and 2012 and also has been part of two Indian teams which won the Intercontinental Cup in 2018 and 2023.

 

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This 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 tricolor high at the continental level.