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Sunil Chhetri: Profile, Wife, Caste and Family





Sunil Chhetri is a legendary Indian football player, widely regarded as the face of Indian football and the country's all-time leading goal scorer. Known for his exceptional goal-scoring ability and leadership, he captained the Indian national team for over a decade, retiring from international football in 2024. This detailed profile covers his biography, family, education, career, recent updates, controversies, and fascinating facts about his life.

Biography of Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri, born Sunil Chhetri, was born on August 3, 1984, in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana), India, into a family with a strong sporting background. Known for his passion for football from a young age, Chhetri rose to prominence as a striker, scoring 94 goals in 151 international matches, making him the fourth-highest international goal scorer globally. His career spans over two decades, with significant contributions to Indian club football and the national team.

Currently, Sunil continues to play for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), becoming its all-time leading goal scorer in 2024. His retirement from international football on June 6, 2024, marked the end of an era, with tributes from FIFA, Luka Modric, and Indian celebrities. His story, shared through media and social platforms, continues to inspire aspiring footballers and fans.

Family Details
  • Father: Kharga Bahadur Chhetri, a retired officer from the Indian Army's Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME). His sporting influence encouraged Sunil's early interest in football.
  • Mother: Sushila Chhetri, a homemaker who, along with her twin sister, represented the Nepal women's national football team, adding to the family's sporting legacy.
  • Siblings: Sunil is the only child of his parents, making him their sole focus of support. His childhood was spent in various army cantonments due to his father's postings.
  • Wife: Sonam Bhattacharya, daughter of former Indian international footballer Subrata Bhattacharya. They married on December 4, 2017, in Kolkata, after dating for 13 years. Sonam has been a pillar of support, credited by Sunil for his success.
  • Children: Sunil and Sonam have no children, with Sunil focusing on his football career and post-retirement plans.

His family's sporting roots, especially his parents' influence, have been crucial, enabling him to pursue football despite financial challenges. Sonam's role has been highlighted in interviews, with Sunil crediting her for his achievements.

Educational Qualifications
Sunil Chhetri's academic journey is modest, reflecting his focus on football from a young age:

  • Schooling:
    • Attended multiple schools across India due to his father's army postings, including in Delhi, Darjeeling, and Kolkata. Excelled in football at every school but never considered it a professional career initially.
    • Attended Bethany School in Darjeeling, where he spent much of his childhood, as per olympics.com on January 25, 2025.
  • Higher Education:
    • No formal higher education is documented, with Sunil prioritizing football over academics. His goal was to use sports to gain entry into a reputed college, as noted by olympics.com.
  • Football Training:
    • Gained skills through school and local club football, with Mohun Bagan spotting his talent in 2002, marking his professional debut, as per olympics.com.
  • Sporting Expertise:
    • Known for his goal-scoring instincts, leadership, and teamwork, Chhetri's expertise lies in his ability to perform under pressure, as highlighted by sports.ndtv.com on January 4, 2025.

His limited formal education and focus on football have shaped his legendary career, with reports emphasizing his sporting prowess over academic achievements.

Career Graph
Sunil Chhetri's football career spans club and international levels, marked by significant achievements:

Early Career (Club Football)
  • Mohun Bagan (2002-2005):
    • Debuted in the National Football League (NFL) in 2002, scoring his first professional goal, as per sportskeeda.com on June 9, 2024. Played for three seasons, showcasing his talent.
  • JCT (2005-2008):
    • Joined JCT, scoring consistently and establishing himself as a top striker, as per sports.ndtv.com on January 4, 2025.
  • East Bengal and Dempo (2008-2010):
    • Played for East Bengal (2008-09) and Dempo (2009-10), winning the I-League with Dempo in 2009-10, as noted by sports.ndtv.com.

International Career (2005-2024)
  • Debut and Early Years (2005-2010):
    • Debuted for India against Pakistan on June 12, 2005, scoring in a 1-1 draw, as per outlookindia.com on June 7, 2024. Scored 94 goals in 151 matches, becoming the fourth-highest international goal scorer.
  • Captaincy and Golden Era (2011-2024):
    • Captained India, leading to victories in the SAFF Championships (2011, 2015, 2021) and Intercontinental Cups (2018, 2023), as per sports.ndtv.com on January 4, 2025.
    • Retired on June 6, 2024, after a goalless draw against Kuwait in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier, with tributes from FIFA and Luka Modric, as per timesofindia.indiatimes.com on June 7, 2024.

Club Career Post-International Retirement (2024-Present)
  • Bengaluru FC (2013-Present):
    • Joined Bengaluru FC in 2013, winning multiple titles, including the I-League (2013-14, 2015-16), ISL (2018-19), and Durand Cup (2022), as per sports.ndtv.com on January 4, 2025.
    • Became ISL's all-time leading goal scorer with 64 goals in 158 appearances, as per sportstar.thehindu.com on September 28, 2024.
  • Recent Performance (2024):
    • Continues to play for Bengaluru FC, focusing on club football post-retirement, with posts on X celebrating his legacy, as per
      @Sportskeeda
      on X on June 6, 2024.

Recent News
  • ISL Top Scorer (September 2024):
    • Became ISL's all-time leading goal scorer with 64 goals, surpassing Bartholomew Ogbeche, in a match against Mohun Bagan on September 28, 2024, as per sportstar.thehindu.com.
  • Retirement from International Football (June 2024):
    • Retired on June 6, 2024, after a goalless draw against Kuwait, with tributes from FIFA, Luka Modric, and Indian celebrities, as per timesofindia.indiatimes.com on June 7, 2024, and
      @brfootball
      on X on May 16, 2024.
  • Public Appearances (2024):
    • Spotted at events, including interviews with ANI, where he credited his family, especially Sonam, for his success, as per aninews.in on December 8, 2024.
  • Diet and Fitness Insights (October 2024):
    • Shared diet secrets, revealing a plant-based diet for over five years, relying on pulses, nuts, and vegetables, as per timesnownews.com on October 6, 2024.
  • Anwar Ali Controversy (October 2024):
    • Commented on Anwar Ali's controversy, calling him an "asset" and urging players to avoid controversies, as per sports.ndtv.com on October 4, 2024.

Controversies
Sunil Chhetri has largely avoided controversies, maintaining a clean public image. However, here are minor points of discussion:

  • Anwar Ali Controversy (October 2024):
    • Commented on Anwar Ali's transfer controversy, calling him an "asset" and urging players to stay away from controversies, as per sports.ndtv.com on October 4, 2024. No direct involvement, but highlighted his leadership stance.
  • Retirement Criticism (June 2024):
    • His retirement match, a goalless draw against Kuwait, drew criticism for India's failure to qualify, with some questioning his impact, as per espn.in on December 22, 2024. No personal controversy, but public scrutiny.
  • Public Scrutiny of Diet (October 2024):
    • His plant-based diet drew mixed reactions, with some praising his health choices and others debating its impact on performance, as per timesnownews.com on October 6, 2024. No controversies, but increased visibility.

Top 10 Interesting Facts About Sunil Chhetri
  1. All-Time Leading Scorer: Scored 94 goals in 151 international matches, making him the fourth-highest international goal scorer, behind Ronaldo, Daei, and Messi, as per sportskeeda.com on June 9, 2024.
  2. ISL Top Scorer (2024): Became ISL's all-time leading goal scorer with 64 goals in 158 appearances, as per sportstar.thehindu.com on September 28, 2024.
  3. International Retirement (2024): Retired on June 6, 2024, after a goalless draw against Kuwait, with tributes from FIFA and Luka Modric, as per timesofindia.indiatimes.com on June 7, 2024.
  4. Sporting Family: Son of an army officer and a Nepal women's team player, with his mother and aunt representing Nepal, as per olympics.com on January 25, 2025.
  5. Mohun Bagan Debut (2002): Debuted with Mohun Bagan in 2002, scoring his first professional goal, marking his entry into club football, as per sportskeeda.com on June 9, 2024.
  6. Plant-Based Diet (2024): Follows a plant-based diet for over five years, relying on pulses, nuts, and vegetables, as per timesnownews.com on October 6, 2024.
  7. Anwar Ali Support (2024): Called Anwar Ali an "asset" and urged players to avoid controversies, as per sports.ndtv.com on October 4, 2024.
  8. Khel Ratna Award (2021): Received the Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor, for his contributions, as per aninews.in on December 8, 2024.
  9. Bengaluru FC Legacy (2013-Present): Joined Bengaluru FC in 2013, winning multiple titles, including ISL (2018-19) and Durand Cup (2022), as per sports.ndtv.com on January 4, 2025.
  10. Inspirational Figure (2024): Featured in articles for his journey, retirement, and family support, inspiring aspiring footballers, as per sports.ndtv.com on December 8, 2024.

Sunil Chhetri's journey from an army kid to India's football legend reflects his dedication and skill. His record-breaking international and club career, leadership, and recent ISL achievements have made him an icon. While minor controversies, including comments on Anwar Ali, have drawn attention, his public image remains overwhelmingly positive. As he continues to play for Bengaluru FC, Chhetri's story underscores the power of passion and perseverance in shaping Indian football's legacy.

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