Indian captain
Sunil Chhetri is hoping to continue playing and scoring for the “foreseeable
future” as the veteran striker drew level with the legendary Brazilian Pele on
77 international goals. The 37-year-old striker reached the landmark with an 83rd-minute
winner against Nepal to keep India alive in the SAFF Championship in Maldives
on Sunday.

Chhetri’s
goal-scoring prowess has always remained consistent and reliable source for
India, despite the team languishing in the FIFA rankings and underperforming in
recent years.

“I keep getting asked about my consistency, and
I wish I had an answer. But the truth is, there is no blueprint. It’s more
about wanting to turn up every single day and give it my best, which,
thankfully, I’ve never fallen short of,” Chhetri told PTI after the game against
Nepal.

Chettri has
also had a lengthy career, highlighted by the fact that he has played with
former Indian legends like Baichung Bhutia and Renedy Singh. Chhetri said he
was “extremely lucky” to have played alongside them and other stars in the
Indian Super League and I-League.

He also
paid homage to the various coaches he has had over the years, saying his career
is sort of like a “coming together of many things — big and small”. And the
Secunderabad-born forward said he has given no thought to his future as a
footballer, adding he just wants to enjoy playing for as long as he can.

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“It might
sound like a lie, but I’ve never given my future as a footballer any thought.
Like I said, the one thing I probably do the best is wake up and turn up to
train and play. I look forward to it, thoroughly enjoy it and haven’t ever
wanted to stop doing it.”

“My
future plan with football is literally what my next training session will look
like. I am fortunate enough to have a support system around me that makes sure
I don’t need to think or worry about anything that isn’t football. It just
makes it all the more easier to love what I do

Chhetri’s
77th international goal came on his 123rd appearance for
India, to take him level with Pele (77 in 92 games) in the all-time list. Among
active players, the goal drew him level with UAE’s Ali Mabkhout, with only Lionel
Messi (80) and Cristiano Ronaldo (112) having found the back of the net more often.

Despite his
innumerable achievements as a top-class striker at both international and club
level and his success with the teams he has played for, Chhetri remains as
hungry as ever.

“If
there’s a trophy up for grabs, then I want to win it – it’s as simple as that.
There’s not too many athletes or teams that are content with what’s in their
trophy cabinet. I’m no different.”

“On an
individual level, I am not a big fan of statistics, milestones and accolades.
Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for all that I’ve got and achieved. But to
win with my team — for country and club, that is everything.”

As with
other sports, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the plans of most football
teams and the India and Bengaluru FC striker is glad to be playing the game at
the moment.

“Ever
since international football restarted after the pandemic we have been
utilising every FIFA window. Unluckily, I missed out on the matches against
Oman and UAE in March (after testing positive for COVID). Those are the kind of
matches which Indian football needs.”

“At
the same time, I understand that getting good games is tough owing to all the
restrictions that pandemic has brought along with it.”

There will be
plenty of activity surrounding women’s football in India next year (the country
is hosting the AFC Asian Cup and FIFA U-17 World Cup), and Chhetri is delighted
that the women have started getting opportunities to show their mettle in the
sport.

The day
Chhetri scored his 77th international goal, the Indian women’s team won their
first of the two friendlies in Bahrain in a convincing manner.

“What
also pleases me is that the Indian ladies have been travelling on exposure
tours in preparation for the forthcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and it was only
last night they beat Bahrain 5-0.”

“Like
I always say, we need to keep playing better opponents if we are to improve and
measure where we are, and how much more we need to do.”