CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

Vivek Menezes reveals the enigma that is Indian footballing superstar Sunil Chhetri

- Vivek Menezes

Fifteen years and 72 international goals ago, Sunil Chhetri was repeatedly kicked, and found himself limping badly in front of 20,000 howling Pakistanis at Ayub National Stadium in Quetta, Balochistan. The 20-year-old kept going anyway. It was his India debut, and nothing was going to deny him an opportunity for glory.

The breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute of the scoreless match, when former India captain Climax Lawrence took aim, and his volley deflected off defender Tanveer Ahmed. Chhetri pounced, collected the ball and spun to his left to shoot low and hard, just past the keeper’s outstretched right hand. Goal. Delirium. Blood pounding in his ears, he vaulted the railing and ran to face the crowd. They stared back, hushed and angry. This was the surreal starting point of one of the most improbable, incredible stories in the annals of Indian sports.

Ronaldo, Chhetri, Messi: the records don’t lie. We all recognise 35-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo as the real-life superhero who has pocketed five Ballon D’Or awards (for the best player in the world) and 30 major trophies, while scoring 101 goals for Portugal. That’s the most of any active player. His constant rival Lionel Messi has six of his own Ballons D’Or, plus 34 major trophies, as well as 71 goals for Argentina. While undeniably spectacular, that tally ranks Messi only third in the world, because just ahead is the jaunty India number 11. Sunil Chhetri is the second highest scorer amongst active players, and tenth (and rising) in football history.