India’s football veteran Sunil Chhetri is grateful for the privileged life he lives, especially in the country. Chhetri recently announced his International retirement after playing his swansong against Kuwait in the World Cup qualifiers.
The talisman scored 94 goals (the most for any Indian ) in 151 appearances (the highest for India) he made for the Blue Tigers. Chhetri finished his glorious career as the fourth-highest goal-scorer at the International level after Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Al Daei.
However, Chhetri will continue to play for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League. The 39-year-old recently said he will play for the Blues as long as he is making an impact on the field.
The veteran won the ISL Cup, I-League, Durand Cup, Super Cup, and Federation Cup with the Blues and has also clinched the Intercontinental Cup, SAFF Championship, Tri-nation Series, Nehru Cup, and AFC Challenge Cup with the Blue Tigers.
Speaking on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Chhetri said on Raj Shamani’s podcast, “I love watching Messi more. But I idolize all of them, and I learn so much from all of them. I am a fan of both (Messi and Ronaldo). They are both outstanding players.”
Hailing Ronaldo’s work ethic, Chhetri said, “I’ve learned and followed him (Ronaldo) a lot (because of his) hard work and discipline. I’m not saying Messi is not. I’ve got less knowledge about what Messi (has) done for it. For Ronaldo, I’ve read more and seen more. I love to follow him as a specimen (because of) the way he works hard. But I enjoy watching Messi more. Things that Messi does. Forget to play like them, because no one (else) can. But, even to think of doing something like them, it’s difficult to think of what Messi does. I am not saying it’s easy to follow, copy, or (be) inspired by Ronaldo, but the blueprint is easier to understand because that’s the way I should be. Messi plays the game in a different manner.”
Speaking on how football makes him competitive, the veteran said, “The way you were born with your hormones in a dynamic way, that’s yours. And when you go out and compete in sports, this nature has to come within yourself. Everyone has it, more or less. There will be Ronaldo, Messi, Virat Kohli, and Marry Kom who show their emotions in different manners, but it must come. When you play sports and your heartbeat is at 170-190 km/h and you have to think, you have to be emotional. When you’re 180–190 km/h, sometimes you do crazy stuff.”
He concluded, “Become angry after losing and be competitive are the byproducts of sports. As a person, how you are and how you behave are different in different aspects. Some players understand it and have a cap on it a bit more; some don’t. There are some matches when you lose it, or you can be cool. But it’s the byproduct of sports that you have to be competitive if you want to sustain it for a longer time, and you really invested in it. You will not get anyone who says I don’t care if I lose. That’s why sports people get crazy when they retire.”
