Nearly 20 years after he made his senior debut towards Pakistan, Indian talisman Sunil Chhetri is about for one other milestone as he’ll seem in his 150th worldwide match within the World Cup qualifier towards Afghanistan in Guwahati on Tuesday. India performed out a goalless draw towards Afghanistan of their away leg contest as they climbed to second in Group A within the second spherical of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Chhetri will grow to be the fortieth participant on this planet to play 150 or extra worldwide matches within the record led by Portuguese celebrity Cristiano Ronaldo (205). Chhetri first donned the senior nationwide jersey on June 12, 2005, in a pleasant match towards Pakistan in Quetta.
He was India’s scorer within the 1-1 draw. Since then, he has made 149 appearances for the nationwide group, netting a report 93 objectives. A prolific goal-getter, the 39-year-old holds the distinctive report of scoring not less than one purpose in his first, twenty fifth, fiftieth, seventy fifth, a hundredth and one hundred and twenty fifth match for the Blue Tigers.
”It’s been an awe-inspiring and staggering cruise that every one of us have been lucky to witness since 2005,” All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey stated in a press launch. ”Chhetri taking part in his 150th worldwide match is a rare accomplishment that may go a good distance in conserving the Indian soccer flag flying excessive.
”He has been a fantastic influencer who has motivated hundreds of thousands to play this stunning sport. I congratulate Chhetri for reaching this nice peak in worldwide soccer,” he added. The AIFF additionally introduced that they’ll felicitate the Indian star on the sidelines of their return leg conflict towards Afghanistan in Guwahati.
”In many soccer followers’ eyes, Chhetri is sort of the synonym of the Indian males’s nationwide group. He is a superb footballer, a cool captain, and a star striker. ”The All India Football Federation is proud to felicitate him on his 150th worldwide match. We sincerely hope Chhetri will proceed to serve Indian soccer in the identical breath sooner or later,” AIFF appearing secretary basic M Satyanarayan stated.
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