With its long and rich history, football in India has seen legendary footballers who have sculpted and shaped the sport in the country. But if there is one person who can be called India’s ‘God of Football,’ it is Sunil Chhetri. Chhetri has scored the highest number of goals in international football for India over a two-decade long career and has led in making the great game of football more popular in India. In tribute, before going on to touch more deeply into his prowess, let us take a look at some of the best-known Indian footballers who made their worth in the game throughout time.
India’s Football Legends: Paving the Way
Bhaichung Bhutia – The Sikkimese Sniper
Before Sunil Chhetri became the poster boy of Indian football, the face of football was Bhaichung Bhutia. Bhutia was labeled “Sikkimese Sniper” for his sharp finishing skills. He went on to become the first Indian player to go professional in Europe when he signed with Bury FC in England in 1999. His club stints in India at East Bengal and Mohun Bagan made him a legendary standout in that field. He was the captain of the national team for almost over a decade. His leadership and attacking skills helped him become one of the many most celebrated footballers from India.
IM Vijayan – The Black Buck of Indian Football
Another legend who makes a lasting impact is IM Vijayan. This player is renowned for his very first dribbling, speed, and goal-scoring. He is a three-time winner of the highly coveted AIFF Player of the Year. He was part of a deadly duo in the late 1990s with Bhaichung Bhutia. His capacity to score awe-inspiring goals, one of which was scored in 12 seconds of a match, made him an international sensation, one of the quickest international football goals.
Chuni Goswami, PK Banerjee, and India’s Golden Era
The golden decades of Indian football were the 1950s and 1960s with national team led by stars P.K. Banerjee and Chuni Goswami. India won 1962 Asian Games gold and also reached fourth position at the 1956 Olympics-a never-before achievement until now. They credited Banerjee and Goswami to be pillars behind these achievements and also credited Goswami to be a decent cricketer.
Sunil Chhetri – The Undisputed King of Indian Football
While these legends laid the groundwork, Sunil Chhetri took Indian football to a breathtaking high. He is not just the best Indian football goal scorer but is also among the three leading international goal scorers recognized across the globe-after Cristiano and Messi.
Unmatched International Career
Internationally, Chhetri has appeared in more than 133 matches, scoring 85 goals-a win-win for any Indian footballer. He has also led India in various AFC Asian Cups and played a pivotal role in assisting India to win the SAFF Championship and Nehru Cup. His consistency, hard work, dedication, and lead by example have made him the ideal role model for future footballers.
Impact on Indian Super League (ISL) and Club Football
Chhetri has been a central player in the Indian Super League (ISL), winning many titles with Bengaluru FC. His presence in the league is so large that he is popularly known as the “God of ISL.” He has even played abroad, playing for Sporting Lisbon’s B Team proving that he can play at an international level.
Legacy and Influence on Indian Football
Besides his goal-scoring talent, Chhetri is a leader. His legendary social media fame in 2018 calling for Indian football support brought the stadium full with viewers for India’s matches—a moment that suggested his ability to rally the whole country. His passion for fitness, dedication, and self-enrichment has made him India’s best footballer in his late 30s.
Conclusion: Who Deserves the Title?
While there have been other legends like Bhaichung Bhutia, IM Vijayan, and Chuni Goswami who have all played their part in developing Indian football, the influence of Sunil Chhetri cannot be matched. His goal scoring, leadership, and resilience have made him the face of Indian football for over a decade now. Not only the country’s finest player but also its greatest sporting ambassador.
Due to all of the aforementioned facts, Sunil Chhetri truly deserves to be called ‘God of Football‘ in India, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of future Indian footballers.
