Sunil Chhetri

Who is Sunil Chhetri?

Sunil Chhetri is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a striker for Bengaluru FC in the I-League. Born in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Chhetri began his professional career at Mohun Bagan in 2002. He then moved to JCT Mills where he scored 21 goals in 48 games, the most he has scored for any side in his career. He signed for the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer in 2010, becoming the third player from the subcontinent of note to go abroad. However, that stint in the United States did not last long and soon he was back in India's I-League where he played for Chirag United and Mohun Bagan before going back abroad. This time he was signed by Sporting Clube de Portugal of the Primeira Liga where he would play for the clubs reserve side.

It was with the national team that Chhetri gained fame and made a name for himself. He helped India win the 2007 Nehru Cup, 2009 Nehru Cup, the 2012 Nehru Cup as well as the 2011 SAFF Championship. He was also one of India's best players during the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup in which India won the tournament and thus qualified for their first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years. He then led India in scoring during their short-lived campaign at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup with two goals.