Sunil Chhetri once again registers his name into the history books after bagging AIFF Player of the Year award for the seventh time.
On Tuesday 9/8/2022 All India Football Federation announced its annual footballing awards for men and women footballers of the country. As always Sunil Chhetri won the men’s player of the year award.
Whereas the Mumbai City FC 23-year-old winger Vikram Pratap Singh is conferred with the award for being the best young player in the country.
Meanwhile among Women’s footballers Manisha Kalyan who recently joined Apollo Crews and she’s set to become first Indian woman to play UEFA Women’s Champions League. Martina Thokchom bags the award for being the best female footballer in the country.
Sunil Chhetri’s contribution to Indian Football over the years has been immense. 37-year-old talismanic striker has been the main man for the club as well as for the country. He is the highest goal-scorer in the history of the football club.
Sunil Chhetri started his footballing career when he was 16-year-old when he signed for Mohun Bagan which was regarded as one of the top most clubs in the sub-continent. Chhetri has played for numerous clubs in India such as Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Aizwal FC, Dempo etc.
Sunil Chhetri is one of the few footballers in the country who tried his luck several times abroad. He almost signed for Queens Park Rangers, but England FA objected the signing of the player as the FIFA ranking of India was too low.
He also played for the Portuguese giants Sporting club de Portugal. Initially he signed for the main team. Coach thought Chhetri wasn’t good enough, so he told him to play for the B team. In that B team Chhetri was team-mate with current Tottenham Hotspurs defender Eric Dier.
Talking of European connections, Chhetri is the only second Indian player after Bhaichung Bhutia to play against the Premier Club Manchester United. He did so when he played for MLS club Kansas City FC.
The contribution of Chhetri to Indian Football is unparallel, now the country faces the biggest question What after Chhetri? For that time is the answer.
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