- Age
- 42 yrs
- Birthday in 281 days
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- Career highlights
- Honours
- 3
- Most recent 2021
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Sunil Chhetri is a forward who holds the records for most appearances and goals for the India national football team, and is among the highest international goalscorers in men’s football history. He captains Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.
Biography
Early life
Chhetri was born in Secunderabad to a family with deep football roots: his father, K. B. Chhetri, played for the Indian Army team, and his mother, Sushila, played for the Nepal women’s national team. He grew up in several cities as his father was posted around the country and began his club career at Delhi’s City FC before moving to Mohun Bagan.
Club career
Chhetri began professionally at Mohun Bagan in 2002 and made his name at JCT. He had spells abroad with the Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer (2010) and Sporting CP’s reserve team in Portugal (2012), and joined Bengaluru FC in 2013, winning I-League and Indian Super League titles. He is the top scorer in ISL history.
International career
Since his debut in 2005, Chhetri has become India’s most-capped player and all-time leading scorer. He led India to the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup — scoring a hat-trick in the final — which secured qualification for the 2011 Asian Cup, and to several SAFF Championship and Intercontinental Cup titles. He announced his international retirement in June 2024 but returned to the national team in 2025.
He has won the AIFF Player of the Year award a record number of times and in 2021 became the first footballer to receive the Khel Ratna.
Captain and leader
Chhetri became India captain in 2012 and led the team to SAFF Championship titles and the Intercontinental Cup. His 2018 social-media appeal asking fans to come to the stadium — even if only to criticise the team — led to sell-out crowds. He announced his international retirement after a final match against Kuwait in June 2024, then returned to the national team in March 2025 to help in Asian Cup qualifying.
Timeline
-
1984
Born in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana)
-
2002
Signs for Mohun Bagan
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2005
International debut
Against Pakistan.
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2008
Wins the AFC Challenge Cup
Hat-trick in the final.
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2010
Joins Kansas City Wizards
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2011
Arjuna Award
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2012
Becomes India captain
Joins Sporting CP’s reserve team.
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2013
Joins Bengaluru FC
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2018
Viral appeal brings fans back to stadiums
India win the Intercontinental Cup.
-
2019
Padma Shri
-
2021
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
First footballer to receive it.
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2024
Announces international retirement
Returns to the national team in 2025.
-
2025
Returns to the national team
March.
Awards and honours
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Arjuna Award
2011
-
Padma Shri
2019
-
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
2021
Did you know?
-
1
His mother played for the Nepal women’s national team.
-
2
His 2018 video appeal to fans led to sold-out matches in Mumbai.
-
3
He is India’s most-capped footballer.
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Frequently asked
Who is Sunil Chhetri?
Sunil Chhetri is a forward who holds the records for most appearances and goals for the India national football team, and is among the highest international goalscorers in men’s football history. He captains Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.
How old is Sunil Chhetri?
Sunil Chhetri is 42 years old, born on 3 August 1984 in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana).
Where is Sunil Chhetri from?
Sunil Chhetri was born in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana).
What is Sunil Chhetri known for?
Sunil Chhetri is best known for All-time top scorer for India; Bengaluru FC captain; one of the highest international goalscorers among active players.
What awards has Sunil Chhetri received?
Notable honours include Arjuna Award (2011), Padma Shri (2019), Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2021).
Who is Sunil Chhetri married to?
Spouse: Sonam Bhattacharya (m. 2017).
References
- Sunil Chhetri — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Sunil Chhetri — Transfermarkt profile. Transfermarkt. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Sunil Chhetri — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Sunil Chhetri (Q561004) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Sunil Chhetri.” TrackFame, last updated 26 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/sunil-chhetri
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