Sunil Chhetri, captain of the Indian Football team has been making India proud with his unbeatable and impressive playing styles; not to mentions all his amazing goals. Born in Secunderabad and raised in different cities of India as his father was in army. He started his schooling from 6th standard onwards from Delhi; that’s where he got his breakthrough in his career. He resides in Bangalore currently and plays for Bangaluru FC. He shares about his career, marriage and everything else.
Q. First of all, how would you describe yourself as?
Sunil: I want to believe that I am a decent person to hang with. My father always did told me that the more bigger you become, the more humble you have to be because more people will approached you so that’s what I will always carry with me and will always try to be humble as much a s I can. But sometimes I lose it because at the end of the day I am a human after all.
Q. When did the bug for being a footballer bit you?
Sunil: To want to be a football player was always in my head but I never expected to make it this big. Moreover, I never knew how to go about professionally; it only happened when Mohun Bagan saw me and took me in while I was playing for City FC in Delhi in 2002.
Q. So, before Mohun Bagan happened, there was no professional training?
Sunil: Not really, but then I was playing for the City FC where I was signed for few months and I wasn’t trained that professionally. My real struggle started when I joined Mohun Bagan. That was the time when I did actually learn the nuances of the game and understand them thoroughly.
Q. Has there been anyone who has inspired you in any way in waking up that interest about football?
Sunil: I was inspired by many, to mention a few would be Ronaldhino, Bhaichung Bhutia, Renedy (Potsangbam) etc but if I have to take one name that would be my father. He was my biggest inspiration. He even played for the army football team; not only the football but he were my constant inspiration in every way as in discipline, behaviour, just everything about him and still is.
Q. Does this means; they were supportive about your career in football?
Sunil: I wouldn’t say supportive but super supportive. They never forced me and always allowed me to chase my dreams. And as a players themselves, yes my mother plays football too, were more than happy when I told them about my decision.
Q. Would you share a glimpse about your early football days?
Sunil: When I got into Mohan Bagan everyone was supportive but it does bring pressure with it. After two – three months of training euphoria started building around me, it was quite difficult, you know, I was only 17 then. To think I was playing for one of the best club in India was overwhelming. I used to sometimes lock myself in and think about what to do; that’s when I made up my mind to calm myself down and work hard. But I was blessed to have such a good family and team around me whose constant support helped me to gain my strength back on track.
Q. When was the time you played professionally for the team?
Sunil: I always got the chance to play almost every time. Even though I don’t start the game, I always had my feet on the ground, right from my early days. Then again, getting the chances and goals wasn’t the struggle but making sure you’re up to the mark and you handle the pressure well was the struggle.
Q. Also, you got to play along most of people you got inspired from as a child, how was that like?
Sunil: That was amazing! As a kid we used to watch them play and then getting to in the same club and playing alongside them, not only for the club but for the country as well for 6 years was totally a magical experience. I cherish those memories!
Q. You’ve come a long way since 2002, how do you feel when you sit back and remember those days?
Sunil: I feel very fortunate and privileged. If somebody would have said to me then that you would achieved this much in future, I wouldn’t have believe it as I have been bestowed upon with much more than I’ve hoped for. God has been very kind and I don’t and will never take it for granted. It is an honour and privilege to play for my country.
Q. A little bit about how you joined Team India?
Sunil: I have been playing for my country for 13 years; I joined the senior team back in 2005 (The camp was held in Patiala) where I played my first match in Pakistan. Fortunately, I scored a goal in the first game and that will always be one of my most memorable moments. There is no greater feeling than playing for my country!
Q. Currently, you’re the captain of India. As a captain, how do you feel?
Sunil: I feel very honoured, extra – ordinary and unparallel. It’s a great feeling and as said before, I don’t and will not take it for granted.
Q. What are the challenges and struggles you face?
Sunil: There are no difference in challenges whether you’re a captain or not; our struggles is to meet the expectations of the people. TBH there is no greater challenges than wearing our team jersey, standing tall during the National Anthem and trying with every ounces of your body to make your country proud!
Q. In all these years, have there been any changes in the football arena?
Sunil: There have been many changes. It has grown leaps and bounds. There have in changes in every work right from how we play, the Federation and the media as well. But we still have a huge way to go; we have to improve a lot, keep our heads down, we shouldn’t be satisfied or content but keep working hard in our respective fields. We have to keep working hard but yes there has been a good gradual change.
Q. Regarding media, it always focuses mainly cricket and not any other games/sports, what is your opinion on that? Does ISL helps in improving the media outlook?
Sunil: I think that has change tremendously over the past few years and yeah! ISL did helped a great deal. It is definitely doing its job well! As I said, each one of us has to work hard to reach the goal, it’s a team job.
Q. As a senior footballer, what according to you are the basic necessities to be a successful footballer/sportsperson?
Sunil: First of all, you’ve to love the game; it is important you love the game unconditionally, and then your desire to give your best will come. And when I say giving your best it means training hard, eating well, resting well, thinking positive, being a team player, everything comes under there. So basically, you must love the game, and then things will become easier for you.
Q. Any suggestions or advice you’d like to give to the aspiring sportsperson.
Sunil: It’s not an advice but a suggestion: be happy, always be happy which everything is. Also make sure you give your everything to the game.
Q. Going on a more personal side, you got married recently, while of course breaking many hearts, a little bit about how you guys met?
Sunil: Well! (Ha ha) her name’s Sonam from Kolkata. I met her 13 years ago and she was my coach’s daughter then. I guess she was one of my well wishers and met her when she took my autograph. She once sent her driver for my number and there was no turning back ever since. And now we’re married.
Q. How do you balance your family and career, now that you’re married?
Sunil: I don’t have to try much as we have been together for 13 years; she understand all too well and being the daughter of a football coach’s she knows all about how my kind of person day is like. One thing’s for sure that we now get to spent more time together.
Q. So the experience of married life is so far, so good?
Sunil: It’s great! 🤗
Q. Lastly, what message you’d like to give to all your well wishers.
Sunil: I just wanna say thank you from the bottom of my heart. As I have said the kind of encouragement, support and love I get is unreal; I am very fortunate. If not for all that, probably I wouldn’t have reach here; please supporting us and the game; and I just hope each one has beautiful, healthy and lovely life.
PC: respective photographers