Sunil Chhetri surpasses Messi to become 2nd highest active goal scorer, after Ronaldo
It’s time to stop sulking over India’s major loss to New Zealand in the semi-final of Cricket World Cup, 2019 because we have big (sports) news for you! The captain of the Indian football team, Sunil Chhetri has surpassed Argentine football legend Lionel Messi to become the second highest active goal scorer in the world. He now has 70 goals under his belt which two goals more than Mess’s total score of 68. Portugal’s star player, Cristiano Ronalodo still tops the list of highest goal-scorers in the world with 88 goals.
Chhetri achieved the feat during the opening match of the Intercontinental Cup 2019 at the TransStadia Arena in Ahmedabad on Sunday. He scored two brilliant goals against Tajikistan, replacing Messi to become the No.2 highest goal scorer in the world. Even though India lost in the opening match, Chhetri won the hearts of millions of Indian football fans. Tajikistan won the match with 4-2.
The Men in Blue had a great start, with Dessai playing Lallianzuala Chhangte. Even though, India was awarded a penalty, Chhetri was dauntless in his play as he scored his first lea. His second goal came when Udanta played as the right winger and Chhangte gave a low-cross to Chhetri, who grew India’s score to 2-0.
During the second-half of the game, Tajikistan dominated Indians and took away the whole game. By that time, Indians already had a reason to celebrate an achievement!
The 34-year-old Chhetri started playing football at a quite young age. That doesn’t come as a surprise since his father played for Indian National Army and his mother and twin sister played for Nepal women’s national team. He played his first match in 2002 at Mohun Bagan in Kolkata.
Chhetri was signed by Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer in 2010. With time, he led India to win championships such as 2007 Nehru Cup, 2009 Nehru Cup, the 2012 Nehru Cup, and 2011 SAFF.
Chhetri has also been honored with Arjuna Award and Padma Shri. He currently plays as a part of Bengaluru FC from the position of a striker.
Chhetri is one of the very few Indian players who have put Indian National Football team on an international pedestal, and for this, we thank him from the bottom of our heats. We hope to see him bring many such accolades to the nation!
