NEW DELHI: Sunil Chhetri, the star Indian football player, wasn’t always the serious leader he is today. During his early international career, he was a “backbencher and prankster,” often making fun of senior players. However, that all changed after being made captain in 2011. When legendary player Bhaichung Bhutia retired during the Asian Cup, then-coach Bob Houghton elevated Chhetri to captaincy to lead a young team in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers in Malaysia two months later.
On an episode of ‘Let There Be Sports’ streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar, Chhetri said, “The day I was given the armband, it was in Malaysia by Bob Houghton, there was an instant pressure because of what I was–a backbencher. Myself, Steven (Dias), and (NP) Pradeep made fun of the senior players, that was me. Everything was a prank, and I was mischievous. But when I wore the armband, for the initial three-four games I started sitting ahead.”
Chhetri’s last major tournament for India may be the Asian Cup 2024 in Doha. The veteran striker, who currently plays for Bengaluru FC in the top-tier Indian Super League, has won several titles and accolades during his professional career.
Chhetri made his international debut for India in 2005 in a friendly match against Pakistan in Quetta and scored in a 1-1 draw. Sukhwinder Singh was the Indian team coach then.
Looking back on his career, Chhetri has learned the importance of leading by example both on and off the pitch. “Before there was this mindset that I am Sunil Chhetri–my dribble, my pass, my crossing, my goal. I would raise my hands and go home. Even if I received abuse, I would take them and go home. But now you are thinking about yourself as well, but also about the team on and off the pitch.”
Chhetri, the third-most prolific scorer among active international players with goals only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, said he made it a point to take the blame for the team’s failures. “More importantly, when there is a mistake, raise your hand and apologize. Because when the responsibilities come and you become a senior player, it becomes more difficult to say it was my mistake. That was what I learned when I became a leader, that it’s okay, you are going to make a mistake. All the big ones have made it. And when the captain gets up and takes the blame, the whole morale (of the dressing room) changes.”
