He made his senior-level debut for India in June 2005 against arch-rivals Pakistan and found the back of the net on his debut. He won his first international trophy when India defeated Syria in the final of the 2007 Nehru Cup. He would go on to win two more Nehru Cup titles with India in 2009 and 2012.
It was under his leadership India entered the top 100 rankings for the first time in 2023 since 2018.
Chhetri has won the prestigious All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year title a total of seven times in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons.
He was also conferred upon the Arjuna Award in 2011 and the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021. He is the first footballer to win the Khel Ratna, the country’s highest award for sporting achievement.
Chhetri scored a hat-trick in the AFC Challenge Cup final, when India defeated Tajikistan 4-1. He helped India establish itself as a dominant force in South Asian football with further SAFF Championship title wins in 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023.
Bureau Report
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