Alongside Ronaldo and Messi, Sunil Chhetri, the Indian national football team captain, is recognized by FIFA as one of the game’s brightest players. The social media pages for the FIFA World Cup posted a message honoring the accomplishments of the three stars, and soon after, Chhetri received support from Indian fans. However, most compared Chhetri to Messi and Ronaldo and celebrated the position as an accomplishment rather than highlighting his international success.
The media also reported that Chhetri would be honored by the FIFA World Cup for his accomplishments on a worldwide scale. Most people did not realize how uncommon and extraordinary the recognition was, though. Considering that Chhetri represents a nation that has not yet qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Sunil Chhetri’s 84 goals in 131 appearances for India are stats that support his recognition. In the meantime, active international footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have scored 117 and 90 goals, respectively.
Football’s all-time greatest players are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, so it is an accomplishment to witness an Indian being praised alongside them. Without such, though, his actions receive little attention from Indian media or followers. The 2021–22 AIFF Men’s Footballer of the Year was one of several honors he has received; it was the seventh time in his career. India has also acknowledged his commitment and labors President Kovind presented him with the Khel Ratna Award in 2021.
Sunil’s career will be featured in the Captain Fantastic FIFA series, which will help promote Indian football internationally. Chhetri’s early years in Bangalore and Delhi, as well as his talismanic captaincy, will be covered in the three-part series. According to reports, the first episode would also look back on his pre-teen years and the earliest signs of his relationship with his future wife, which eventually led to his India debut at the age of 20 in 2008. In contrast to the second episode, where he takes control of the national team and makes a reputation for himself, the last episode shows him reaching the apex of his career and personal lives and becomes widely recognised.
While only football fans may have been aware of his journey up to this point, it is hoped that now Indians will be familiar with him on par with renowned athletes like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sania Mirza, Mahesh Bhupathi, and others.
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