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Sunil Chhetri, India’s record footballer, continues at 40
India football captain Sunil Chhetri, 40, continues his professional career without signs of retirement. The striker began at Mohun Bagan in 2002 and later played for Major League Soccer side Kansas City Wizards in 2010 and the reserve team of Portuguese club Sporting. He remains India's most decorated footballer with six AIFF Player of the Year awards.
Chhetri led India to victory in the Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009 and 2012, the 2011 SAFF Championship and the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup. He is India's all-time leading scorer with 94 international goals. His career spans over two decades, making him one of Asia's longest-serving active international players.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Chhetri's longevity is rare in Indian football. At 40, he remains India's all-time leading scorer with 94 international goals, a record unlikely to be broken soon. The Bengaluru FC captain's continued presence in the national team reflects a shallow talent pool in Indian forward positions. The AIFF and ISL are yet to produce a successor of similar consistency. Chhetri's next competitive assignment will be the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, likely his last major tournament. Watch for the federation's plans to integrate younger strikers before the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Source: gulfnews.com
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