Incredible! Sunil Chhetri becomes joint 2nd highest active international football goal scorer with 64 goals

Mumbai, June 11: Two goals scored by skipper Sunil Chhetri led Indian football team to clinch the Hero Intercontinental Cup on Sunday. Providing a sublime performance in the finals of Hero Intercontinental Cup, Sunil Chhetri not only led India to clinch the tournament but also led himself to become the joint second highest international goal scorer among active players along with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.

 

Notably, after scoring two goals in the finals of Hero Intercontinental Cup Sunil Chhetri became the joint second highest international goal scorer among active players along with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. So far in the international football arena, Sunil Chhetri has scored 64 goals in 102 matches and equaled to Lionel Messi.

Sunil Chhetri and Messi are behind Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 81 goals from 150 matches. Also, Chhetri and Messi are currently in joint 21st in the all-time list of goal scorers as well. However, Sunil is just one goal below former Chelsea and Ivory Coast stalwart Didier Drogba (65 from 104 matches).

Importantly, in terms of a number of goals per match, Chhetri is better than Messi, arguably the best player in the world currently. Sunil Chhetri has scored 0.62 goals per match as against 0.52 of Messi. Messi has scored 64 goals from 124 matches. He also now has a better goal average than Cristiano (0.54 per match).

In a post-match presentation ceremony after being asked about a new milestone, Indian Captain Chhetri said, "It's unfair to compare myself with Messi and Cristiano. I am a big fan of both. They are much bigger stars. I just want to score as many goals as possible for my country.”

Indian football team on Sunday clinched the Hero Intercontinental Cup after registering a thrilling victory over Kenya by 2-0 in the summit clash that was played at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.

After the win, Chhetri in a tweet said, “What a feeling! Thank you, India! This win is for the fans who filled the stands, cheered from home and backed and believed in us. The boys and staff pulled together and now it’s time to enjoy. We regroup soon because the road is long - very long. #Champions.”

After Chhetri achieved a new milestone, Vetran actor Preesti Zinta took to a twitter saying, So Happy 2see #AamchiMumbai come & support @chetrisunil11 & our #BoysinBlue ⚽️🇮🇳as they make us proud & win this game. I may be far away in #La but I will be watching & supporting from here.Thanks #AB 4the video. #IndianFootball #❤️Mumbai #Goal #SunilChhetri #MyheartisBlue

Sunil Chhetri was born on 3 August 1984 is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Indian National Team. Chhetri began his professional career at Mohun Bagan in 2002. Popularly known as "Captain Fantastic" also became only the second Indian to feature in 100 international matches after former skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, had earlier equaled Zlatan Ibrahamovic of Sweden and World Cup winner Brazilian Ronaldo in the match against New Zealand which India lost 1-2.