As Sunil Chhetri takes the field in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 speculations intensify over whether this tournament could mark the final chapter of his illustrious career.
At 39 years old, Chhetri is the oldest outfield player in the competition, and the heightened anticipation is evident in the surge of ticket sales to witness the Indian icon in action in the campaign opener against Australia on Saturday at Ahemd bin Ali Stadium in Qatar.
It is a monumental occasion for the player as he will be the first Indian to play three Asian Cup finals. Moreover, with 93 international goals, he is the player with the most strikes in this edition of the competition.
Chhetri has been India's talisman for more than a decade. And realistically, India is yet to find the next Chhetri.
The men in Blue had scored 21 goals in 2023 and the Bengaluru FC striker scored nine of them. The young guns in Naorem Mahesh Singh (3), Lallianzuala Chhangte (3), Manvir Singh (1), and Udanta Singh (1) had eight cumulatively, which speaks volumes about his contribution to the national team even at 39.
Igor Stimac has tried several options in a centre-forward role but none have produced the goods. Rahim Ali, Ishan Pandita, and Farukh Choudhary, were all handed out opportunities to impress but they all strutted and fretted their hour upon the stage and then were heard no more.
But what keeps Chhetri going? In an interview with the-aiff.com, the striker said: "I had a chat with my wife about the Asian Cup and the World Cup Qualifiers against Afghanistan later, and it seemed to her that I was taking too much pressure with these matches.
“She told me to just go out there and enjoy. You start playing football because you love it. When we used to play the small-sided games as kids, it was for the enjoyment of the game. But when you become professional, you get bogged down by all the noise and expectations, and the wins and the losses. Sometimes we tend to forget why we started it all. The essence of football is lost.
"It’s all about the mindset of going out there and enjoying it. Of course, you still have to maintain discipline, and do all the things that you have to do around football, you can’t forget your duties, but at the end of the day, once you go out there, you should enjoy what you’re doing."
Sunil Chhetri's diet
Chhetri is enjoying even at 39 as he takes care of his body with utmost sincerity. His fitness regime is a case study for most athletes and his diet consists of nothing that would slow him down on the pitch.
"I follow a strict diet plan," he revealed to Mans World India.
"I have a pre-training meal of oatmeal with nuts, boiled eggs and fresh juice in the morning. After training, I have a protein shake, prunes or a banana and brown bread with peanut butter.
"Lunch consists of a plate of greens and boiled veggies and fish or chicken steak. That is followed by a mid-afternoon snack of fruits, some nuts and a glass of milk. Dinner is simple, with rotis, dal, a bowl of vegetables and chicken/fish/cottage cheese. I also have another chug of protein shake before bed."
Will Sunil Chhetri retire after the Asian Cup?
But is he thinking of hanging up his boots after the AFC Asian Cup? The answer has been an emphatic NO!
"If we weren’t in the (2026 World Cup) qualifiers, probably this would have been my last. (But) we are in with a chance to make the third round for the first time in my career. I am not trying to put pressure on myself or the team when I say this but something really drastic has to go wrong from our side for us to not be in the third round. And right now, the team needs me. We have got very important games against Afghanistan, Kuwait and Qatar and I will be available,” he told the Hindustan Times.
India do have a realistic chance of qualifying for the third round as they are tied with three points in the second place with Kuwait in Group A. The top two teams qualify from the group and if India can manage to play to their potential then it would be a historic milestone for the greatest goalscorer in the nation's history.
But that's a story for another day. Right now, he is laser-focused on the job at hand.
“We want to have the biggest underdogs’ result in the first game. No one, not even your friends, is giving you a chance. Imagine, if you get a result against Australia, that is something you are going to die with,” said Chhetri.
In 2011, India were battered 4-0 by the Socceroos. Chhetri was on the field but could do little to salvage some pride for his nation. A decade later he is a vetran of many battles and is the fourth highest goalscorer in football history. If anyone can do the impossible, he is Chhetri. The man believes and so do a billion Indians.
How to watch at the Asian Cup?
All of India's matches at the Asian Cup will be broadcast by the Sports18 network. India vs Australia can be watched on the Sports18 TV channel, or live streamed on the JioCinema app/website.
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