Sports • Soccer

Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri is an Indian professional footballer known as a forward and long-time captain of the India national team.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sunil Chhetri is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a forward and is the long-time captain of the India national team. He is widely recognized as one of Indian football's most accomplished players and has also played for Bengaluru FC and several other clubs in India and abroad.

Early life and background

Sunil Chhetri was born on 3 August 1984 in Secunderabad, India. Public biographies note that he developed into a forward and began building his reputation in Indian domestic football early in his career.

Club career

Chhetri has played for several clubs including Mohun Bagan, JCT, East Bengal, Dempo, and Bengaluru FC, with brief spells abroad in Major League Soccer and Portugal. He is strongly associated with Bengaluru FC, where he became a prominent figure.

International career

Chhetri became a central figure for the India national team and is its all-time top scorer. Sources also describe him as one of the highest-scoring active or all-time men’s international players, depending on the publication date and stat cut-off.

Honours and recognition

Chhetri has received major Indian sports honours, including the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and Khel Ratna. He has also been named AIFF Player of the Year multiple times.

Key facts

Chhetri is the all-time top goalscorer for the India national team.
He is also one of the highest-scoring men’s international footballers of all time.
He has captained both the India national team and Bengaluru FC.
He has played club football in India and had short spells abroad, including in the United States and Portugal.
He has received major Indian sporting honours, including the Arjuna Award and Khel Ratna Award.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Sunil Chhetri?

Sunil Chhetri is an Indian footballer who plays as a forward and is best known for captaining the India national team.

What is Sunil Chhetri known for?

He is known for being India’s all-time top men’s international goalscorer and one of the country’s most celebrated footballers.

Which clubs has Sunil Chhetri played for?

His career has included Mohun Bagan, JCT, East Bengal, Dempo, and Bengaluru FC, plus short spells abroad.

When was Sunil Chhetri born?

He was born on 3 August 1984.

What awards has Sunil Chhetri received?

Sources list the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna, and multiple AIFF Player of the Year awards.

Has Sunil Chhetri played outside India?

Yes. He had brief spells in the United States and Portugal, making him one of the first Indian-origin players to appear across multiple continents.

References

Sportskeeda — https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/sunil-chhetri
Supports: Position, captaincy, India national team scoring record, and general career overview.
Olympics.com — https://olympics.com/en/athletes/sunil-chhetri
Supports: Birthdate, birthplace, India national team scoring record, and international standing.
ESPN — https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37505828/sunil-chhetri-india-mr-football
Supports: Club career summary, India’s top-capped/top player context, and domestic/overseas career path.
Global Indian — https://www.globalindian.com/profiles/sunil-chhetri/
Supports: Major awards and recognitions including AIFF Player of the Year, Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and Khel Ratna.
Major League Soccer — https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/sunil-chhetri/
Supports: MLS spell, position, and career details including his 2008 AFC Challenge Cup hat-trick.
Transfermarkt — https://www.transfermarkt.us/sunil-chhetri/profil/spieler/64601
Supports: Birthplace, position, club history, and current club/status details.