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.
Bu hikaye GQ India dergisinin February 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye GQ India dergisinin February 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
The 30 Best Watches Of 2024
Rounding up the best shapes, materials, complications and sizes from this year's horological novelty treasure chest.
Wes Lang's Heroes of Love...
Last month, LA-based artist Wes Lang unveiled The Black Paintings, a monumental series of works that play like storyboards to a raucous midnight horror movieand a spiritual quest. Here, GQ collaborates with the artist on a fashion story that brings his stylish characters off the canvas.
The Miraculous Resurrection of Notre Dame
In 2019, a fire nearly destroyed the crown jewel of France-and the nation set a breakneck five-year deadline to bring it back from the ashes. This is the story of how an army of artisans turned back centuries to restore Notre-Dame by hand, and wound up reviving something even greater than the cathedral itself.
"IT'S NOT ABOUT BEING PERFECT. IT'S ABOUT BEING REVOLUTIONARY."
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter talks business, legacy, art, and family
The Wedding Singers
Madboy Mink's dynamic duo, Saba Azad and Imaad Shah, redefine festive style.
A Watch Is More Than Just a Pretty Face
As collectors look to make their grail watches stand out, they're turning to unique vintage bracelets and paying thousands on thousands for straps on the secondary market.
The Fluidity of Cartier
Why Gen Z stars are obsessed with this historic maison.
A Princess with Passion
From restoring monuments to reviving hereditary crafts, Bhavnagar's Brijeshwari Kumari Gohil has her sights on the future.
THE FUTURE SOUNDS LIKE AT EEZ
The Coachella-slaying, multi-language-singing, genre-obliterating members of Ateez are quickly becoming load-bearing stars of our global pop universe.
DEMNA UNMASKED
He's the most influential designer of the past decade. He's also the most controversial. Now the creative director of Balenciaga is exploring a surprising source of inspiration: happiness. GQ's Samuel Hine witnesses the dawn of Demna's new era, in Paris, New York, and Shanghai. Photographs by Jason Nocito.
