The man who carried Indian Football: Why Sunil Chhetri is the G.O.A.T

Chhetri didn’t just score goals — he kept Indian football alive when few were watching.

Transcript

00:01That's not just a name.

00:08That's Sunil Chhetri, the man with chiseled features an alliance heart, the face, voice

00:13and heartbeat of Indian football carrying the game on his shoulders through eras of neglect.

00:21In a cricket-obsessed country, he made a billion people look up from pitches most ignored.

00:25Not just India's top scorer or third-highest active international goal-getter,

00:29behind Messi and Ronaldo, he made those numbers mean something here.

00:38While cricket stars shown, Chhetri showed up anyway.

00:41From first playing for India in 2005 vs Pakistan, scoring his debut goal,

00:45to becoming the constant when systems failed and leagues faltered.

00:48Instead of self-promotion after a win, he pleaded.

01:04The next match, the stands overflowed.

01:06Arjuna Award, Padma Shree, Khel Ratna.

01:08These weren't player honours.

01:10They saluted a sport that survived because one man refused to let go.

01:13He announced international retirement in early 2024 after two decades.

01:25Less than a year later, in June 2025, Chhetri returned for a farewell against Kuwait at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium.

01:30One final service, not for records, but for the game he held together for India.

01:34Beyond 90 goals, Chhetri is Indian football's backbone.

01:38Mentor, believer, quiet warrior.

01:40When fans roar his name, they're not cheering for the striker.

01:43They're thanking the man who kept the dream alive, India's very own goat.

01:47The luckiest and the most hard-working national team player.

01:51Mom.