Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri, who has been nominated for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, on Wednesday said the journey he has gone through is nothing short of a dream.
He said, “I’m thrilled, I’m really grateful and honored. I’ve always said it’s a dream I’ve lived through, and it’s about my family, my friends, my wife, my close group, the teammates who are my friends.” There are passes and the coaches I have played under. All of them have played an important role in who I am today.”
“Playing for the national team has been amazing, for so many years, all the matches that have happened, it’s been an excellent journey.”
Sunil was named by MYAS as one of the 12 players who will be conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for 2021.
In fact, Sunil will be the first Indian footballer to receive the award – the highest award for sporting achievements in India. The awards will be given as part of the National Sports Awards, which will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on November 13.
When asked about his role model, he outlined his philosophy of embracing anything positive around him, Sunil said: “There is a lot of encouragement and inspiration around us, we just have to keep watching. There’s an appetite to try to learn more, and you’ll be exploring from so many people.”
He highlighted that it can happen anywhere but not from the same scope of life. During the pandemic, some philanthropists went out of their way to lend a helping hand to others, inspiring the 37-year-old footballer as well.
“There were many people who came out to help people during the Covid-19 pandemic, be it financially or on the ground. He risked his life and gave his everything. These people are extraordinary! So if someone is looking for inspiration, it’s around, and if you have to find it, you can find it anywhere.”
Since making his debut for the Blue Tigers against Pakistan in Quetta on 12 June 2005, Sunil has rewritten Indian football history several times. But, Khel Ratna awardees, as usual, feel apprehensive about discussing statistics.
“I am just happy that I got a chance to score for my country. That’s about it! To see my name on the big screen, even for just five seconds, and to know that I have contributed in some way to my country is all I need. Once that’s done, we can choose a goal and cherish the moment and talk about it. Once my stomach is done with eating too much, we’ll talk about it,” quipped Chhetri.
With 80 goals, Sunil is currently in second place with Lionel Messi in the list of goalscorers among footballers active at the international level, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading with 115 goals.
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