December 8, 2024: Sunil Chhetri’s reflections on the challenges of growing Indian football highlight the deep-rooted passion for cricket in the country and the difficulty of converting cricket fans into football fans.
In a recent interview, Chhetri emphasized the distinctiveness of cricket and football as sports, explaining that shifting a cricket fan’s loyalty to football is a tough ask, given that both sports have different appeal and cultures. Drawing an analogy to personal preferences in hobbies, he pointed out that just as someone may not easily switch from one sport or interest to another—such as from badminton to chess—it’s similarly difficult to make a cricket fan fully embrace football.
However, Chhetri also pointed out the vast potential that exists in India, noting that the country has one of the largest audiences for global football. According to him, India, along with China, is one of the biggest markets for world football, with millions of fans consuming content from international leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, and the FIFA World Cup. He believes this massive viewership could be a key resource in boosting domestic football in India, suggesting that if more of these fans turned their attention to the Indian football scene—specifically domestic leagues like the Indian Super League (ISL)—it could lead to greater recognition and success for the sport within the country.
Chhetri’s career is a testament to the progress of Indian football. He began his professional journey in 2002 with Mohun Bagan and has since become one of the most iconic footballers in India. His leadership and goal-scoring prowess have played a pivotal role in India’s success in various regional tournaments. Chhetri helped India win the Nehru Cup multiple times, as well as the SAFF Championship, and famously led India to victory in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which secured India’s qualification for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in 27 years.
Chhetri’s individual achievements are equally remarkable. With 94 goals in 150 international matches, he is one of the top goal-scorers in international football, and he currently ranks fourth on the all-time list. His dedication to the sport has earned him numerous accolades, including the Arjuna Award (2011), Padma Shri (2019), and the Khel Ratna Award (2021), which made him the first footballer to receive India’s highest sporting honor.
As Chhetri looks to the future of Indian football, his message is clear: the key to success lies in tapping into the enormous global football fanbase in India and converting that interest into local football support. By focusing on domestic football and increasing fan engagement with local leagues, Chhetri believes Indian football can build a more sustainable and thriving future.
