The flagbearer of Indian football – Sunil Chhetri – turns 40 today and his iconic career has been a source of inspiration for Indians in a sport that has a lot of fan following in the country but very limited participation. Cricket remains the sport that has both grassroots development and money while football does not enjoy such status. Born on August 3, 1984, Sunil Chhetri has been successful in uniting the country to follow this sport and his style of play has been a factor in several youth players dreaming big. Although he retired from international football, he continues to play for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League. Durand Cup 2024: ISL Sides Punjab FC, NorthEast United Start Campaigns on Winning Note.

Sunil Chhetri started his career at a local Delhi-based club by the name City Club Delhi, which he represented in the 2002 Durand Cup. His talent saw him win a trial at Mohun Bagan and a first professional contract was signed shortly, turning him into a pro. Although he never was a success at the club, it was a stepping stone towards a career filled with laurels. He has played for some of the biggest clubs in India with Dempo, Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers, and East Bengal. But he has spent the most time with Bengaluru FC, where he has managed 82 goals in 212 games. ISL 2024-25: Mumbai City FC Announce Contract Extension of Syrian Defender Thaer Krouma Till 2025 Season.

For India, Sunil Chhetri has scored a record 94 goals in 151 games. He won a total of 11 trophies with the national team including the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup. He has also had stints with Kansas City Wizards in the USA, where he played against Manchester United in a friendly and with Sporting Lisbon in Portugal. On behalf of Team Latestly, we wish the champion footballer a very Happy Birthday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 03, 2024 11:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).