New Delhi: The first footballer to be awarded Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awardmilf indian maestro Sunil Chhetri On Wednesday, he said that the journey he has gone through in the last 16 years is no less than a dream.
Since his India debut on June 12, 2005, against Pakistan in Quetta, Chhetri has rewritten the country’s football history several times and has now added another feather to his cap by being nominated for the country’s highest sporting award. .
Chhetri said, “I am thrilled, I am really grateful and honored. I have always said that this is a dream I have lived through, and it would not have been possible without my family, teammates and coaches under whom I have lived.” I’ve played.”
The 36-year-old India captain said, “It has been amazing to play for the national team, for so many years, all the matches, it has been an excellent journey.” aiff release.
Chhetri, India’s greatest footballer since the ‘Golden Era’ of the last century, has played the most international matches and scored the most goals.
With 80 strikes in 125 international matches, he is currently tied with Argentina’s superstars Lionel Messi On the number of goals among active players.
He is one of the few Indian footballers to have won the Padma Shri and has also been honored with the Arjuna Award. He is the first footballer to win the Khel Ratna, the country’s highest sports award.
Chhetri was on Tuesday included among the 12 players who will be honored with the 2021 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on November 13.
When asked about his ideals in his life, Chhetri said: “The amount of encouragement and inspiration all around us is immense, we just have to keep watching. One needs the hunger to try to learn more, and you can do a lot of things.” Will seek out people. People.”
“There are many people who came out to help people during the COVID-19 pandemic, be it financially or on land. They risked their lives and gave their everything. These people are extraordinary! That’s why If someone is looking for inspiration, it’s all around, and if you need to find it, you can find it anywhere.”
He is not yet ready to discuss the remarkable figures of his illustrious career spanning 16 years, adding that he wants to focus on playing for the country and scoring goals.
“I’m just glad 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 That I have contributed in some way for my country, that’s all I want,” Chhetri said.
“Once I’ve done that, we can pick a goal and cherish the moment and talk about it. Once I have a big stomach with lots of food So we’ll talk about it.”
All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel lauded Chhetri for receiving the Khel Ratna.
“Congratulations! No one deserves this more than Sunil. He has been the flag bearer and role model of Indian football, having won so many awards for his country and all his clubs over the years.
“I wish them all the best in their future endeavours and hope together to lead us to unprecedented glory in the near future,” Patel said.
AIFF general secretary Kushal Das also congratulated Chhetri.
“Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is the pinnacle of all sports awards in the country and Sunil deserves the award. He is a living legend, and the icon that all fans look up to.
“I wish him all the best in his professional and personal life. You have been the true flag bearer of Indian football,” Das said.
Since his India debut on June 12, 2005, against Pakistan in Quetta, Chhetri has rewritten the country’s football history several times and has now added another feather to his cap by being nominated for the country’s highest sporting award. .
Chhetri said, “I am thrilled, I am really grateful and honored. I have always said that this is a dream I have lived through, and it would not have been possible without my family, teammates and coaches under whom I have lived.” I’ve played.”
The 36-year-old India captain said, “It has been amazing to play for the national team, for so many years, all the matches, it has been an excellent journey.” aiff release.
Chhetri, India’s greatest footballer since the ‘Golden Era’ of the last century, has played the most international matches and scored the most goals.
With 80 strikes in 125 international matches, he is currently tied with Argentina’s superstars Lionel Messi On the number of goals among active players.
He is one of the few Indian footballers to have won the Padma Shri and has also been honored with the Arjuna Award. He is the first footballer to win the Khel Ratna, the country’s highest sports award.
Chhetri was on Tuesday included among the 12 players who will be honored with the 2021 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on November 13.
When asked about his ideals in his life, Chhetri said: “The amount of encouragement and inspiration all around us is immense, we just have to keep watching. One needs the hunger to try to learn more, and you can do a lot of things.” Will seek out people. People.”
“There are many people who came out to help people during the COVID-19 pandemic, be it financially or on land. They risked their lives and gave their everything. These people are extraordinary! That’s why If someone is looking for inspiration, it’s all around, and if you need to find it, you can find it anywhere.”
He is not yet ready to discuss the remarkable figures of his illustrious career spanning 16 years, adding that he wants to focus on playing for the country and scoring goals.
“I’m just glad 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 That I have contributed in some way for my country, that’s all I want,” Chhetri said.
“Once I’ve done that, we can pick a goal and cherish the moment and talk about it. Once I have a big stomach with lots of food So we’ll talk about it.”
All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel lauded Chhetri for receiving the Khel Ratna.
“Congratulations! No one deserves this more than Sunil. He has been the flag bearer and role model of Indian football, having won so many awards for his country and all his clubs over the years.
“I wish them all the best in their future endeavours and hope together to lead us to unprecedented glory in the near future,” Patel said.
AIFF general secretary Kushal Das also congratulated Chhetri.
“Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is the pinnacle of all sports awards in the country and Sunil deserves the award. He is a living legend, and the icon that all fans look up to.
“I wish him all the best in his professional and personal life. You have been the true flag bearer of Indian football,” Das said.
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