I want to be like Bhaichung Bhutia; take Indian football to another level
THE WEEK India|September 15, 2024
Football has literally taken Lallianzuala Chhangte places. Born in Lunglei, a hilly town in Mizoram, around 160km from Aizawl, Chhangte was introduced to football by his grandfather.
SALIL BERA AND NILADRY SARKAR
I want to be like Bhaichung Bhutia; take Indian football to another level

Lallianzuala Chhangte, Indian footballer

He also gave the boy his first boot, writing the prologue to a story that would see him train with Liverpool’s youth academy, and, eventually, become the Indian national team’s best player.

The start was not easy. The puny second son of a teacher couple was not the best of his peers during his academy days. But, the Cristiano Ronaldo fan took inspiration from his idol’s work ethic and put in the hard yards with the dream of playing for the national team and the biggest clubs in the country.

His efforts bore fruit, and how. The 27-year-old Mumbai City winger has been named the All India Football Federation’s men’s player of the year for two consecutive years (2022-23 and 2023-24). He joined City in 2021-22, initially on loan, and played in 13 matches without scoring or assisting. If there were concerns, they evaporated quickly in the 2022-23 season. Chhangte scored 10 and assisted six as City stormed to the ISL title. He was the club’s top scorer with 18 goals in 32 games in all competitions (nine assists). In 2023-24, though he scored seven goals and provided six assists in the 22 league games, City were only able to finish second. But, his inspired showing in the play-offs (three goals in three games) helped the club win the ISL Cup. He had 11 goals and seven assists in all competitions. Ahead of the 2024-25 season, City made Chhangte its captain.

He is only the second Indian, apart from Sunil Chhetri, to win the Hero of the League award in the ISL (202223). Known for his dribbling and incredible pace, Chhangte is lovingly called The Mizo Flash. In fact, he is among the fastest football players in the world today—his top speed in 2023-24, 35.18kmph, comfortably puts him in the top 50 (Tottenham Hotspur’s Dutch defender Micky van de Ven was first, for the season, with 37.38kmph).

Denne historien er fra September 15, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 15, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE WEEK INDIASe alt
Efficiency and innovation
THE WEEK India

Efficiency and innovation

As health care evolves, professionals must employ innovative methods to refine their skills

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Level up
THE WEEK India

Level up

Only 30 per cent of needy patients are able to undergo transplant in India; we need more dedicated transplant centres

time-read
2 mins  |
December 01, 2024
HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL
THE WEEK India

HOPE STEMS FROM A CELL

While stem cell therapies have shown success in treating blood disorders, orthopaedic ailments, autoimmune diseases and eye issues, there is hope that they can one day treat patients with heart disease, blindness, Parkinson's, HIV, diabetes and spinal cord injuries

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 01, 2024
Mind matters
THE WEEK India

Mind matters

Your mindset can limit or expand your physical ability

time-read
3 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Cutting edge
THE WEEK India

Cutting edge

Would you go under the knife if a robot was the one holding it? Or would you say, \"No way, I need a human touch\"? You might have to decide soon because a robot that can imitate skilled human surgeons is already here.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
The smallest cut
THE WEEK India

The smallest cut

Minimally invasive surgeries have a bright future, with virtual reality and 3D procedures offering greater precision and AI on the horizon

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Signalling a revolution
THE WEEK India

Signalling a revolution

Canadian scientist and entrepreneur Sachdev Sidhu is focused on bringing cutting-edge antibody engineering to his country of origin

time-read
7 mins  |
December 01, 2024
Wellness on demand
THE WEEK India

Wellness on demand

Starting as a doctor-patient chat platform, Medibuddy has evolved to be India's largest on-demand, full-stack digital health care platform

time-read
4 mins  |
December 01, 2024
HEARING AND VISION LOSS LINKED TO HEART DISEASE AND STROKE
THE WEEK India

HEARING AND VISION LOSS LINKED TO HEART DISEASE AND STROKE

A CHINESE STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL of the American Heart Association suggests that middle aged and older adults with sensory impairments, specifically hearing and vision loss, have an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attacks.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024
PETTICOAT CANCER AND THE SARI LINK
THE WEEK India

PETTICOAT CANCER AND THE SARI LINK

TYING YOUR UNDERSKIRT (petticoat) tightly around the waist when wearing a sari, can lead to \"petticoat cancer\" or \"sari cancer,\" as it was previously called. Tying the underskirt too tightly can cause constant cord friction that can lead to chronic inflammation, skin ulceration and, in rare cases, skin cancer.

time-read
1 min  |
December 01, 2024