Chhetri is also the reason India is now on the map of the world. He shares space with GOAT Portugal's Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi as the third top goal scorer in the world, an honour FIFA gave him in 2022, for his 84 goals and 131 caps as an active player.
The 38-year-old is a powerhouse on the football field, playing the beautiful game for 21 years, and wearing the coveted Indian jersey for 17. As Bengaluru FC's captain, he stuck with a new club that came into the fray in 2013. Even though the ISL season leaves a lot to be desired, Chhetri is honest, "We've had a far from ideal start, and don't have as many points on the table. We need to remedy it. We've been training well, but haven't necessarily been able to translate that at games.&nbsp;However, I am quite confident about this bunch. You have to keep chipping away, go back to the drawing board, assess, analyse, work hard and believe. And that's exactly what we are doing."
As part of his goal-scoring feat, FIFA aired a documentary which shows a lighter, self-depreciating humorous side to the otherwise restrained 2021 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratan awardee. The restraint is always there though, "I've always said it is an honour to have my name taken alongside two absolute stalwarts of our game. I've never chased records, so there is nowhere really to go from here. I am just happy to be able to train and play as much as I do."
Even as the FIFA Word Cup 2022 is underway, Sunil is focused on the Indian season, which has no break during the World Cup. "I will probably catch the games on TV. I don't have a team, and that makes viewing better as there's no question of a potential heartbreak!" he adds.
Some rare glimpses in the documentary saw peers, former India team coach&nbsp;Bob Houghton, cricketer Virat Kohli, etc. speak about Sunil. Trophies shine, and behind that is an Arjuna Awardee who is always looking to take the team forward. Finally holding the Durand Cup as BFC won (2022), Chhetri feels, "(It is) a big memory, if not my most cherished. It was the one elusive trophy, and I'm glad I got it finally. Being an army kid who plays professional football, it would have been a shame if I missed out on that one." Every season for him is about, "training, resting, recuperating. And repeat."
As Chhetri readies himself for the next match, he looks to the heavens. The Indian team's ranking, 106th, is not far from his mind. What will it take for India to move forward? "There is no one answer.&nbsp;It will take many aspects - big and small - to be done correctly for us to attempt to get to where we want to be. I say this for both, the men and women. India needs to be in the reckoning in Asia first. Let's keep world status out of this till then."

I don't have a favourite team, that makes the viewing more fun, says Sunil Chhetri

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