The Indian men’s football team look far more confident under head coach Igor Stimac in recent times. The Croatian tactician has guided the team to two back-to-back titles in Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Championships in a single international window. Stimac is very happy with the team’s performance and also elated with how Sunil Chhetri has led this team.
He wants Chhetri to continue playing for India as long as he remains at the helm. Chhetri, who will turn 39 next month is still going strong for the Blue Tigers. However, Stimac feels that with the fitness and hunger that Chhetri has no one should talk about retirement.
“The question is always, ‘Who after Chhetri?’ but I never thought that way,” Stimac said during an interview with the Indian Express.
Stimac highlighted how Chhetri has received less game time for Bengaluru FC in the last two years but he has always made sure that the Indian skipper stays for as long as possible. “I was doing everything to keep alive the hunger he has so that he stays with us as long as possible. Even when he went through difficulties in Bengaluru being sidelined the last couple of years, we did everything to make sure he doesn’t leave too soon,” Stimac added.
Chhetri had a spectacular SAFF Championship as he won the Golden Boot for scoring five goals in this edition of the tournament. He was one of the most active players in these two tournaments and he showcased relentless hunger and passion for the game.
Stimac believes that Chhetri has amazing fitness levels and can continue to solider on for a few more years. The Croatian promises to do everything in his power to push him to play a few more years.
“I would like him to play for the national team at least as long as I am here. From the day I joined, I have been hearing about his age. But what counts is his fitness, commitment, passion, hunger and leadership skills. He is the best player India has ever had and his record speaks for it,” Stimac told in an interview with TOI.
The Croatian reveals how Chhetri is top three in all the fitness tests that they have done in this team and can easily continue to play for five more years. “He is, in fitness, one of the top three in all the tests we execute for the national team. With his body, the numbers are perfect – be it body fat percentage or weight. Why should we think about Chhetri retiring? I’m going to do everything in my power to help him play for another five years,” Stimac pointing out Chhetri’s incredible fitness levels.
While there is a lot of talk about India being overdependent on Chhetri, Stimac feels it is not right. He sheds light on how others are bringing the ball up the pitch and working on midfield. They are just trying to use Chhetri’s best abilities in these games.
“We do not depend on Sunil Chhetri. He doesn’t bring the ball up the pitch or is part of midfield triangle drills,” the Croatian told Indian Express. “He is clearly a different class. With Sunil, we have a different approach. There are going to be times when he isn’t present,” he added.
India will next play in the King’s Cup in September when they will travel to Thailand. They will also feature in the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia before kick-starting their FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers campaigns later this year.
