Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri, born on August 3, 1984, is an iconic Indian professional footballer who has made a significant impact in the world of football. Currently playing as a forward for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League, he holds the record as the all-time top scorer in ISL history. Chhetri is not only the most-capped player for the India national team but also ranks as the fourth-highest international goalscorer, solidifying his status as one of the greatest Indian football players of all time.

Chhetri's professional journey began in 2002 with Mohun Bagan, followed by a stint at JCT where he netted twenty-one goals in forty-eight appearances. His talent shone brightly during the 59th Santosh Trophy, where he scored six goals, including a hat-trick against Gujarat. After a brief period with the Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer in 2010, he returned to India, playing for Chirag United and Mohun Bagan before moving to Sporting CP's reserve side in Portugal.

Throughout his career, Chhetri has been instrumental in leading India to numerous victories, including the Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009, and 2012, and the SAFF Championship in 2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023. His leadership was pivotal in India's triumph at the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which qualified the team for their first AFC Asian Cup in twenty-seven years. In 2016, he guided Bengaluru FC to a silver medal finish in the AFC Cup, showcasing his prowess on the field.

Chhetri's accolades include being named AIFF Player of the Year a record seven times and receiving prestigious awards such as the Arjuna Award in 2011 and the Padma Shri in 2019. In 2021, he became the first footballer to receive the Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor. After announcing his retirement from international football in June 2024, he made headlines again in March 2025 by coming out of retirement to support the national team.