Sunil Chhetri, the captain of the Indian football team, has achieved an impressive milestone by becoming the third-highest scorer among active footballers in terms of international goals. This news was reported by the Khaleej Times on July 7, 2023.
Despite the presence of renowned football superstars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, it is remarkable to see Chhetri closely trailing behind them on the list. Chhetri’s achievement comes after India’s victory over Kuwait in the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) cup. In an exciting match, India managed to equalize with Kuwait and eventually won 5-4 on penalties, with Chhetri leading the team to success.
In addition to his outstanding performance on the field, Chhetri has garnered attention for his generosity. After securing the SAFF cup for the second consecutive year, he selflessly handed the trophy to his teammates, allowing them to revel in the glory of their collective achievement.
This recent success in Indian football indicates the growing interest and support for the sport in the country, which has traditionally been focused on cricket. A heartwarming moment during the SAFF final occurred when more than 20,000 fans in the Bengaluru stadium came together to passionately sing the patriotic anthem ‘Vande Mataram,’ cheering on the Indian team. Several videos capturing this emotional scene, with the Indian players joining in the chorus, have since become viral sensations.