View source for Sunil Chhetri

{{Short description|Indian footballer (born 1984)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Sunil Chhetri
| fullname = Sunil Chhetri
| image = File:The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 2021 to Shri Sunil Chhetri for Football, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on 13 November 2021 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Chhetri in 2021
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1984|8|3|df=y}}<ref name=SWProfile>{{cite web|title=Sunil Chhetri|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/sunil-chhetri/64395/|work=Soccerway|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910121819/http://int.soccerway.com/players/sunil-chhetri/64395/|archive-date=10 September 2013}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Secunderabad]], [[Andhra Pradesh]] (now [[Telangana]]), [[India]]<ref name="SWProfile"/>
| height = 1.70 m<ref name="SWProfile"/>
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| currentclub = [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]
| clubnumber = 11
| youthclubs1 = City Club Delhi<ref>{{cite web|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/transfers2002.html|title=Season ending Transfers 2002: India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217030450/http://www.indianfootball.de/transfers2002.html|archive-date=17 February 2020|website=indianfootball.de|publisher=Indian Football Network|access-date=1 July 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| youthyears1 = 2001–2002
| clubs1 = [[Mohun Bagan Super Giant|Mohun Bagan]]
| years1 = 2002–2005
| caps1 = 18
| goals1 = 10
| years2 = 2005–2008
| clubs2 = [[JCT FC|JCT]]
| caps2 = 48
| goals2 = 21
| years3 = 2008–2009
| clubs3 = [[East Bengal FC|East Bengal]]
| caps3 = 17
| goals3 = 9
| years4 = 2009–2010
| clubs4 = [[Dempo SC|Dempo]]
| caps4 = 13
| goals4 = 8
| years5 = 2010
| clubs5 = [[Sporting Kansas City|Kansas City Wizards]]
| caps5 = 0<!--MLS only-->
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2011
| clubs6 = [[United SC|Chirag United]]
| caps6 = 7
| goals6 = 7
| years7 = 2011–2012
| clubs7 = [[Mohun Bagan Super Giant|Mohun Bagan]]
| caps7 = 14
| goals7 = 6
| years8 = 2012–2013
| clubs8 = [[Sporting CP B]]
| caps8 = 3
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2013
| clubs9 = → [[Churchill Brothers FC Goa|Churchill Brothers]] (loan)
| caps9 = 8
| goals9 = 4
| years10 = 2013–2015
| clubs10 = [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]
| caps10 = 43
| goals10 = 16
| years11 = 2015–2016
| clubs11 = [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]
| caps11 = 17
| goals11 = 7
| years12 = 2016
| clubs12 = → [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]] (loan)
| caps12 = 14
| goals12 = 5
| years13 = 2017–
| clubs13 = [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]
| caps13 = 182 <!-- only league caps-->
| goals13 = 75 <!-- only league goals -->
| nationalteam1 = [[India national under-20 football team|India U20]]
| nationalyears1 = 2004
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 2004–2023
| nationalteam2 = [[India national under-23 football team|India U23]]
| nationalcaps2 = 6{{efn-lg|Appearances as an [[List of overage players in Olympic football|overage player]] (four appearances and two goals in [[Football at the 2022 Asian Games – Men's tournament|2022 Asian Games]])}}
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| nationalteam3 = [[India national football team|India]]
| nationalyears3 = 2005–
| nationalcaps3 = 155
| nationalgoals3 = [[List of international goals scored by Sunil Chhetri|95]]
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}} {{Medal|Country|{{fb|IND}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[AFC Challenge Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W| [[2008 AFC Challenge Cup|2008 India]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[SAFF Championship]]}}
{{Medal|RU| [[2008 SAFF Championship|2008 Maldives & Sri Lanka]]|}}
{{Medal|W| [[2011 SAFF Championship|2011 India]]|}}
{{Medal|RU| [[2013 SAFF Championship|2013 Nepal]]|}}
{{Medal|W| [[2015 SAFF Championship|2015 India]]|}}
{{Medal|W| [[2021 SAFF Championship|2021 Maldives]]|}}
{{Medal|W| [[2023 SAFF Championship|2023 India]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Nehru Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2007 Nehru Cup|2007 India]]|}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2009 Nehru Cup|2009 India]]|}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2012 Nehru Cup|2012 India]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Intercontinental Cup (India)|Intercontinental Cup]]}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2018 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2018 India]]|}}
{{Medal|Winner|[[2023 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2023 India]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Football at the South Asian Games|South Asian Games]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2004 South Asian Games|2004 Pakistan]]|[[Football at the 2004 South Asian Games|Team]]|}}
| club-update = 16:30, 12 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 18:30, 4 June 2025 (UTC)
}}
'''Sunil Chhetri''' ({{IPA|ne|sunil t͡sʰet̪ri|lang}}, born 3 August 1984) is an Indian professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]] for [[Indian Super League]] club [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]] and [[Captain (association football)|captains]] the [[India national football team|India national team]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/manolo-marquez-includes-sunil-chhetri-in-squad-list-for-march-fifa-window|title=Manolo Márquez includes Sunil Chhetri in squad list for March FIFA Window|website=www.the-aiff.com}}</ref> He is the [[Indian Super League records and statistics#Player records|all-time top scorer]] in [[Indian Super League]] history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sunil Chhetri Etches History; Becomes All-Time Leading Goalscorer in ISL History |url=https://www.news18.com/football/sunil-chhetri-becomes-all-time-leading-goalscorer-in-isl-history-9067335.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> He is known for his link-up play, goal scoring abilities, and leadership.<ref>{{cite web|date=2 July 2020|title=Six of the best Indian football players of all time: a guide to the greats|url=https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/golden-era-indian-football-team-players-top-players-pk-banerjee-chuni-goswami|access-date=28 January 2022|website=[[Olympic Games|Olympics]]|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514082401/https://olympics.com/en/featured-news/golden-era-indian-football-team-players-top-players-pk-banerjee-chuni-goswami|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=12 May 2021|title=SportMob – Best Indian football players of all time|url=https://sportmob.com/en/article/967888-Best-Indian-football-players-of-all-time|access-date=28 January 2022|website=SportMob|archive-date=9 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809100523/https://sportmob.com/en/article/967888-Best-Indian-football-players-of-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref> He is the [[List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals|fourth-highest international goalscorer]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Captain Fantastic Chhetri strike seals India's 1–0 win over Kyrgyzstan.|newspaper=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/captain-fantastic-chhetri-strike-seals-india-s-1-0-win-over-kyrgyzstan-117061301402_1.html|publisher=Business Standard|date=13 June 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021234034/http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/captain-fantastic-chhetri-strike-seals-india-s-1-0-win-over-kyrgyzstan-117061301402_1.html|archive-date=21 October 2017|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Captain fantastic Sunil Chhetri seals 2018 Intercontinental Cup for India|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/football/100618/sunil-chhetri-indian-football-team-2018-intercontinental-cup-stephen-c.html|publisher=Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited|date=10 June 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611022644/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/football/100618/sunil-chhetri-indian-football-team-2018-intercontinental-cup-stephen-c.html|archive-date=11 June 2018}}</ref> and is also the [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps|most-capped player]] and the [[List of top international men's football goalscorers by country|all-time top goalscorer]] of the [[India national football team|India national team]]. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest Asian football players of all time.<ref name="Sunil Chhetri: No better place than Doha for Indian football's Asian revival">{{cite news|date=3 November 2016|title=Sunil Chhetri: No better place than Doha for Indian football's Asian revival|publisher=Gulf Times|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/story/519789/Sunil-Chhetri-No-better-place-than-Doha-for-Indian|url-status=live|access-date=18 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118170239/http://www.gulf-times.com/story/519789/Sunil-Chhetri-No-better-place-than-Doha-for-Indian|archive-date=18 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="AFC Cup 2016: Sunil Chhetri – The captain who leads by example">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/afc-cup-2016-sunil-chhetri-captain-leads-example |title=AFC Cup 2016: Sunil Chhetri – The captain who leads by example |website=[[Sportskeeda]] |date=20 October 2016 |access-date=18 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118163955/http://www.sportskeeda.com/football/afc-cup-2016-sunil-chhetri-captain-leads-example |archive-date=18 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="We're upbeat: Sunil">{{cite news|date=3 November 2016|title=We're upbeat: Sunil|newspaper=The Telegraph|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161103/jsp/sports/story_117161.jsp#.WC7CPRKKVp0|url-status=dead|access-date=18 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118163907/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1161103/jsp/sports/story_117161.jsp#.WC7CPRKKVp0|archive-date=18 November 2016}}</ref>

Chhetri began his professional career at [[Mohun Bagan AC|Mohun Bagan]] in 2002,<ref name="Chhetri becomes the first Indian to join MLS">{{cite news |url=http://sports.rediff.com/report/2010/mar/26/chhetri-becomes-the-first-indian-to-join-mls.htm |title=Chhetri becomes the first Indian to join MLS |work=Rediff.com |date=26 March 2016 |access-date=29 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129145540/http://sports.rediff.com/report/2010/mar/26/chhetri-becomes-the-first-indian-to-join-mls.htm |archive-date=29 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="The Rs 1 crore boys">{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120415/jsp/7days/story_15375848.jsp#.WD0mFEvraSH |title=The Rs 1 crore boys |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=15 April 2016 |access-date=29 November 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017062433/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120415/jsp/7days/story_15375848.jsp#.WD0mFEvraSH |archive-date=17 October 2016}}</ref> moving to [[JCT FC|JCT]] where he scored 21 goals in 48 games.<ref name=NFT>{{cite web|last=Strack-Zimmermann|first=Benjamin|url=https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/12944/Sunil_Chhetri.html|title=NFT player — National team & Club appearances: Chhetri, Sunil|publisher=National Football Teams|access-date=18 May 2018|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925200859/https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/12944/Sunil_Chhetri.html|website=national-football-teams.com}}</ref> Sunil was part of [[Delhi football team|Delhi]] team in the [[2004–05 Santosh Trophy|59th edition]] of [[Santosh Trophy]] held at [[Delhi]]. He scored six goals in that tournament including a hat-trick against [[Gujarat football team|Gujarat]]. Delhi lost to [[Kerala football team|Kerala]] in the quarter-finals and he scored in that match too.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Goal rush |pages=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041106/spr-trib.htm |work=The Tribune |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041106/spr-trib.htm |access-date=17 April 2022 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116000906/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041106/spr-trib.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> He signed for [[Major League Soccer]] side [[Sporting Kansas City|Kansas City Wizards]] in 2010, becoming the third player from the subcontinent of note to go abroad.<ref name=MLSSigning>{{cite web|last=Wiebe|first=Andrew|title=Wizards sign Indian forward Chhetri|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/wizards-sign-indian-forward-chhetri|work=Major League Soccer|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103213056/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/wizards-sign-indian-forward-chhetri|archive-date=3 November 2013}}</ref> He returned to India's [[I-League]] where he played for [[United SC|Chirag United]] and [[Mohun Bagan AC|Mohun Bagan]] before going back abroad, at [[Sporting CP]] of the [[Primeira Liga]], where he played for the club's [[Sporting CP B|reserve side]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sunil Chhetri joins Sporting Clube de Portugal 'B' side|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sunil-chhetri-joins-sporting-clube-de-portugal-b-side/269478-5-220.html|publisher=IBN Live|date=21 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023161140/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sunil-chhetri-joins-sporting-clube-de-portugal-b-side/269478-5-220.html|archive-date=23 October 2014}}</ref>

Chhetri helped India win the [[2007 Nehru Cup|2007]], [[2009 Nehru Cup|2009]], and [[2012 Nehru Cup|2012]] [[Nehru Cup]], as well as the [[2011 SAFF Championship|2011]], [[2015 SAFF Championship|2015]], [[2021 SAFF Championship|2021]] and [[2023 SAFF Championship|2023]] [[SAFF Championship]]. He also led India to victory in the [[2008 AFC Challenge Cup]], which qualified them to their first [[AFC Asian Cup]] in 27 years,<ref>{{cite web|title=AFC Challenge Cup '08: India Win The AFC Challenge Cup '08|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/14/asia/2008/08/13/817451/afc-challenge-cup-08-india-win-the-afc-challenge-cup-08|website=Goal.com|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120112333/http://www.goal.com/en/news/14/asia/2008/08/13/817451/afc-challenge-cup-08-india-win-the-afc-challenge-cup-08|archive-date=20 January 2016}}</ref> scoring twice in the final tournament in [[2011 AFC Asian Cup|2011]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Sengupta|first=Somnath|title=India In AFC Asian Cup 2011: Performance Review|url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/india-in-afc-asian-cup-2011-performance-review/|work=The Hard Tackle|date=20 January 2011|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023161845/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/india-in-afc-asian-cup-2011-performance-review/|archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref> In 2016, Chhetri led Bengaluru FC to a silver medal finish in the [[AFC Cup]]. Chhetri has also been named [[All India Football Federation|AIFF]] [[AIFF Player of the Year|Player of the Year]] a record seven times in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018–19 and 2021–22.<ref name=AIFFPOTY>{{cite web|title=Sunil Chhetri named 2014 AIFF Player of the Year|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Sunil-Chhetri-named-2014-AIFF-Player-of-the-Year/articleshow/45661090.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=27 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229074559/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Sunil-Chhetri-named-2014-AIFF-Player-of-the-Year/articleshow/45661090.cms|archive-date=29 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sunil Chhetri named AIFF Player of Year for sixth time |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/sunil-chhetri-named-aiff-player-of-year-for-sixth-time/articleshow/70147982.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=9 July 2019 |publisher=TOI |access-date=10 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722015403/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/sunil-chhetri-named-aiff-player-of-year-for-sixth-time/articleshow/70147982.cms |archive-date=22 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Chhetri received the [[Arjuna Award]] in 2011 for his outstanding sporting achievement, the [[Padma Shri]] award in 2019, India's fourth highest civilian award. In 2021, he received the [[Khel Ratna Award]], India's highest sporting honor and became the first footballer to receive the award.<ref>{{cite web|date=2 November 2021|title=Manpreet Singh, Sunil Chhetri to get Khel Ratna|website=India TV|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/hockey/manpreet-added-to-khel-ratna-winners-sports-ministry-okays-35-arjuna-awardees-743441|access-date=2 November 2021|archive-date=2 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102220444/https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/hockey/manpreet-added-to-khel-ratna-winners-sports-ministry-okays-35-arjuna-awardees-743441|url-status=live}}</ref> He announced his retirement from all forms of international football in June 2024, playing his last match for India against [[Kuwait national football team|Kuwait]]. On 6 March 2025 though, it was announced that Chhetri had come out of international retirement to help the national team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-comes-back-from-retirement-to-play-vs-bangladesh-9872639/|title=Sunil Chhetri comes back from retirement, could play vs Maldives, Bangladesh later this month|date=6 March 2025}}</ref>

His goal tally also ranks him fourth in the all-time list among international goal-scorers, behind [[Cristiano Ronaldo]], [[Lionel Messi]] and [[Ali Daei]]. [[FIFA]] took to their official handle on X, to post a picture of the three then active top scorers.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.news18.com/football/retiring-as-a-legend-fifa-pays-tribute-to-indias-sunil-chhetri-alongside-cristiano-ronaldo-and-lionel-messi-8893102.html|title='Retiring As a Legend': FIFA Pays Tribute to India's Sunil Chhetri Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi|website=[[News18]]|date=16 May 2024}}</ref>

== Club career ==
{{MedalBox|title=<span style="color: White" class="skin-nightmode-reset-color">[[Bengaluru FC|<span style="color: White" class="skin-nightmode-reset-color">Representing Bengaluru FC</span>]]</span>|medals=
{{MedalCompetition|[[I-League]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2013-14 I-League|2013/14]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2014-15 I-League|2014/15]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2015-16 I-League|2015/16]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Indian Super League]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2017-18 Indian Super League|ISL 2017/18]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2018-19 Indian Super League|ISL 2018/19]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2022-23 Indian Super League|ISL 2022/23]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2024-25 Indian Super League|ISL 2024/25]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[AFC Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2016 AFC Cup|AFC Cup 2016]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2014-15 Indian Federation Cup|Federation Cup 2014/15]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2016-17 Indian Federation Cup|Federation Cup 2016/17]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Super Cup (India)|Super Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2018 Super Cup (India)|Super Cup 2018]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2023 Super Cup (India)|Super Cup 2023]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Durand Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2022 Durand Cup|Durand Cup 2022]]}}
|country=|color=blue}}

=== City Club Delhi ===
Sunil Chhetri started his career with City Club, a local club based in Delhi and joined them during the 2001–02 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zeenews.india.com/photos/sports/happy-birthday-sunil-chhetri-a-look-at-india-captains-top-achievements-so-far-in-pics-2644145/amp|date=3 August 2023|title=Happy Birthday Sunil Chhetri: A Look At India Captain's Top Achievements So Far – In Pics|access-date=7 December 2023|archive-date=11 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811055818/https://zeenews.india.com/photos/sports/happy-birthday-sunil-chhetri-a-look-at-india-captains-top-achievements-so-far-in-pics-2644145/amp|url-status=live}}</ref> He represented the club in [[2002 Durand Cup]] where although his team failed to qualify for quarterfinal stage, Chhetri made an appearance in four games and scored a goal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/sports/2002/feb/03durand.htm|date=3 February 2002|title=City Club trounce Indian Navy|access-date=7 December 2023|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180820/https://m.rediff.com/sports/2002/feb/03durand.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He was named one of the five promising players of the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mahindra go high five in final |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb17/isp.htm |agency=[[Press Trust of India]] |publisher=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602151853/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/feb17/isp.htm |archive-date=2 June 2002}}</ref> He was spotted by [[Mohun Bagan Super Giant|Mohun Bagan]] during the tournament who called him to [[Kolkata]] for a trial and he went for trial just after joining City Club two months ago.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iftwc.com/the-legacy-of-sunil-chhetri/|date=8 August 2022|title=The Legacy of Captain Sunil Chhetri|access-date=7 December 2023|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207180800/https://iftwc.com/the-legacy-of-sunil-chhetri/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Mohun Bagan ===
Chhetri began his professional football journey with [[Mohun Bagan Super Giant|Mohun Bagan]] of the [[National Football League (India)|National Football League]] where he signed his first professional contract after a week trial.<ref name=NFT /> After his first season with the club, the [[2002–03 National Football League (India)|2002–03 season]], Chhetri had scored four goals<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/nflsco03.htm|title=7th National Football League – Leading Goal Scorers|publisher=Rediff|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812114246/http://www.rediff.com/sports/nflsco03.htm|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> as Mohun Bagan finished in seventh place in the table.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/india03.html|title=India 2002/03|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=live|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506050418/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/india03.html#nfl1|archive-date=6 May 2009}}</ref> The [[2003–04 National Football League (India)|next season]], Chhetri scored only two goals. The first came against [[Sporting Clube de Goa|Sporting Goa]] while the second came against [[Indian Bank Recreational Club|Indian Bank]] as Mohun Bagan once again finished in the bottom half of the table, in ninth place.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/india04.html|title=India 2003/04|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=live|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609202906/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/india04.html#nfl1|archive-date=9 June 2009}}</ref> In [[2004–05 National Football League (India)|2004–05]] season, He scored a hattrick against [[Tollygunge Agragami]] where he came as a substitute in a 4–0 win.;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/sports/report/nfl/20050505.htm|date=5 May 2005|title=Bagan rout Tollygunge|access-date=2 December 2023|archive-date=2 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202073027/https://m.rediff.com/sports/report/nfl/20050505.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> this time Mohun Bagan finished eighth in the league and remained in the [[National Football League (India)|National Football League]] on [[goal difference]].<ref name="India 2004/05">{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/india05.html|title=India 2004/05|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=live|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609202911/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/india05.html#nfl1|archive-date=9 June 2009}}</ref>

=== JCT ===
In 2005, Chhetri signed for [[JCT FC|JCT]] for the [[2005–06 National Football League (India)|2005–06]] season.<ref name=NFT /> During that season, Chhetri scored three goals. He scored twice against [[Salgaocar FC|Salgaocar]] before the third came against [[Sporting Clube de Goa|Sporting Goa]], as JCT finished the season that year in sixth place.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/india06.html|title=India 2005/06|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=live|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114172539/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/india06.html#nfl1|archive-date=14 November 2013}}</ref> Meanwhile, in the [[Santosh Trophy]], Chhetri scored two hat-tricks for [[Delhi football team|Delhi]] in the group stages of the [[2006–07 Santosh Trophy|61st Santosh Trophy]] against both [[Odisha football team|Orissa]] and [[Railways football team|Railways]].<ref name="61st Santosh Trophy">{{cite news|url=http://old.indianfootball.com/seasons/2006-07st.html|title=61st Santosh Trophy|publisher=IndianFootball.com|access-date=7 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813000716/http://old.indianfootball.com/seasons/2006-07st.html|archive-date=13 August 2009}}</ref> However, despite Chhetri's best efforts, Delhi were eliminated in the pre-quarter final round after losing 1–0 to [[Tamil Nadu football team|Tamil Nadu]] in [[extra time]].<ref name="61st Santosh Trophy" />

Then, during the [[2006–07 National Football League (India)|2006–07]] season, Chhetri scored a total of twelve goals in the league for JCT as the club finished in second place, behind [[Dempo SC|Dempo]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/nfl07.html|title=11th National Football League 2007|publisher=Rediff|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090809113049/http://www.rediff.com/sports/nfl07.html|archive-date=9 August 2009}}</ref> Among his best games during that season were the matches against his former club [[Mohun Bagan Super Giant|Mohun Bagan]] and [[Dempo SC|Dempo]] in which he scored braces in both matches as JCT won both games 2–0 and 3–2 respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/jan/10nfl.htm|title=JCT shock Mohun Bagan|publisher=Rediff|date=10 January 2007|access-date=3 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812114232/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/jan/10nfl.htm|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/apr/12nfl.htm|title=Chetri brace gives JCT victory|publisher=Rediff|date=12 April 2007|access-date=3 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812114226/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2007/apr/12nfl.htm|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref>

He made his [[I-League]] debut on 26 November 2007 in an upset 2–1 victory over his former club Mohun Bagan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/26jct.htm|date=26 November 2007|title=JCT beat Mohun Bagan 2–1 in I-League|access-date=9 December 2023|archive-date=9 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231209071457/https://m.rediff.com/sports/2007/nov/26jct.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Then, during the very [[2007–08 I-League|first season]] of the [[I-League]], Chhetri scored seven goals as JCT finished the season in third place.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/india08.html|title=India 2007/08|access-date=3 July 2009|url-status=live|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609203908/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/india08.html#nfl1|archive-date=9 June 2009}}</ref> His only brace that season came against [[Salgaocar FC|Salgaocar]] during the final match of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080224/sports.htm#6|title=JCT crush Salgaocar, finish third|work=Tribune India|first=Anil|last=Datt|date=23 February 2008|access-date=3 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812060715/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080224/sports.htm#6|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> Midway through that season though, in December 2007, Chhetri was awarded the AIFF Player of the Year award for 2007 for his excellent form and performances for his club and country.<ref name=AIFFPOTY />

==== Interest abroad ====
{{Quote box | width=30% | align=right | quote="Of course, I would love to play in Europe like [David] Villa and it all depends where I get an offer from. England would certainly be fine and I have had talks but the stumbling blocks are the work permit restrictions."|source=<small>—Sunil Chhetri, stating his desire to move abroad to play alongside Spanish striker [[David Villa]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1263/india-south-central-asia/2008/10/09/903316/goalcom-special-sunil-chhetris-indian-diary|title=Sunil Chhetri's Indian Diary|publisher=Goal.com|date=9 October 2008|access-date=1 July 2009|first=John|last=Duerden|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813051651/http://www.goal.com/en/news/1263/india-south-central-asia/2008/10/09/903316/goalcom-special-sunil-chhetris-indian-diary|archive-date=13 August 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref></small> }}
[[File:Sunil Chhetri (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|235x235px|Chhetri in 2008]]
In October 2008, it was rumored that Chhetri had sparked interest from foreign clubs. These clubs were [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] of the [[Football League One]] and [[Estoril Praia]] of the [[Liga de Honra]], the second division of Portugal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081012/jsp/sports/story_9956969.jsp|title=Report says Leeds keen on Chhetri|work=Telegraph India|date=12 October 2008|access-date=1 July 2009|location=Calcutta, India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811075311/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081012/jsp/sports/story_9956969.jsp|archive-date=11 August 2009}}</ref> During an interview Chhetri said that "Nothing has been confirmed as yet but yes, I think I am close to getting there." indicating that there was a chance of him signing in England.<ref name="Chhetri on Leeds United radar">{{cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET_Cetera/UK_soccer_club_interested_in_Indian_player/articleshow/3587373.cms|title=Chhetri on Leeds United radar|work=India Times|first=Marcus|last=Mergulhao|date=11 October 2008|access-date=29 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018195531/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET_Cetera/UK_soccer_club_interested_in_Indian_player/articleshow/3587373.cms|archive-date=18 October 2008}}</ref> However, in the end, a move never materialized.

=== East Bengal ===
Before the [[2008–09 I-League|2008–09]] season began, Chhetri signed with fellow [[I-League]] side [[East Bengal Club|East Bengal]].<ref name=NFT /> He scored on his debut for East Bengal against [[United SC|Chirag United]] on 26 September 2008 in which he scored in the 28th minute as East Bengal won the match 3–1.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/india09.html|title=India 2008/09|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=live|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706220412/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/india09.html|archive-date=6 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/east-bengal-begin-league-campaign-on-winning-note_100100581.html|title=East Bengal begin League campaign on winning note|publisher=Thaindian News|date=26 September 2008|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811075314/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/east-bengal-begin-league-campaign-on-winning-note_100100581.html|archive-date=11 August 2009}}</ref>

Chhetri then went on to score a crucial goal for East Bengal during the [[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]] in which he scored the only goal against his former club, [[JCT FC|JCT]], which led to East Bengal booking a place in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2008/dec/13fed-cup-chhetri-helps-east-bengal-beat-jct.htm|title=Chettri strike hands East Bengal win over JCT|publisher=Rediff|date=13 December 2008|access-date=3 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812114241/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2008/dec/13fed-cup-chhetri-helps-east-bengal-beat-jct.htm|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> During the semi-final match, East Bengal took on arch-rivals and another of Sunil's former clubs, [[Mohun Bagan Super Giant|Mohun Bagan]], in which he missed the decisive penalty in the [[Penalty shootout (association football)|penalty shootout]] as East Bengal were officially knocked-out of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sangram stars as Mohun Bagan beat East Bengal to enter Fed Cup Final|url=http://mohun-bagan.blogspot.com/2008/12/sangram-stars-as-mohun-bagan-beat-east.html|work=Mohun Bagan AC|date=18 December 2008|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306214714/http://mohun-bagan.blogspot.com/2008/12/sangram-stars-as-mohun-bagan-beat-east.html|archive-date=6 March 2014}}</ref>

Midway through the season though, reports came out suggesting that two [[Major League Soccer]] teams were interesting in Chhetri, along with his international teammate [[Steven Dias]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2009/01/12/1056482/indian-players-for-mls|title=Indian Players For MLS?|publisher=Goal.com|date=12 January 2009|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811161712/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2009/01/12/1056482/indian-players-for-mls|archive-date=11 August 2009}}</ref> These two MLS sides were rumored to be the [[Los Angeles Galaxy]] and [[D.C. United]]. However, on 25 January 2009, Chhetri arrived in [[Coventry]], England to begin a trial at [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] of the [[Football League Championship]], thus rejecting MLS.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/coventry-calling-for-sunil-chhetri/414151/|title=Coventry calling for Sunil Chhetri|work=The Indian Express|date=23 January 2009|access-date=29 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812053054/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/coventry-calling-for-sunil-chhetri/414151/|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> Four days later though, Coventry City manager [[Chris Coleman (footballer)|Chris Coleman]] said that they would not be following their interest in Chhetri.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ia.rediff.com/www/sports/2009/jan/29coventry-city-sunil-chhetri.htm|title=Coventry no more interested in Chhetri|publisher=Rediff|date=29 January 2009|access-date=29 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812105456/http://ia.rediff.com/www/sports/2009/jan/29coventry-city-sunil-chhetri.htm|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> Four months later though, Chhetri said that he would go back to Coventry City in June 2009 for another extended trial.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/chhetri-gears-up-for-goa-stint/462639/|title=Chhetri gears up for Goa stint|work=Express India|first=Saikat|last=Sarkar|date=20 May 2009|access-date=29 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812153848/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/chhetri-gears-up-for-goa-stint/462639/|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> That never materialized however.

=== Dempo ===
Upon being released by [[SC East Bengal|East Bengal]], Chhetri signed a two-year contract with another fellow [[I-League]] side, [[Dempo SC|Dempo]] on 22 May 2009.<ref name=HT2012>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-Sport&id=fe7f22ac-c123-4669-ac98-c389d49598e3&Headline=Two-year+Dempo+deal+for+Chhetri|title=Two-year Dempo deal for Chhetri|work=Hindustan Times|date=22 May 2009|access-date=30 June 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812054503/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=RSSFeed-Sport&id=fe7f22ac-c123-4669-ac98-c389d49598e3&Headline=Two-year+Dempo+deal+for+Chhetri|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> In his contract was a clause which allowed him to leave for trials abroad in the future if he wanted to.<ref name=HT2012 />

==== More foreign interest ====
On 7 August 2009 it was reported that [[Scottish Premier League]] side [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] were linked with a move to sign Chhetri.<ref name=Celtic>{{cite news|url=http://m.goal.com/art_1426487.Celtic-Scouts-Monitor-Chhetri-Trials-Seem-Unlikely?SID=69ef43f244100b5f008c685ced8b6694|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524225543/http://m.goal.com/art_1426487.Celtic-Scouts-Monitor-Chhetri-Trials-Seem-Unlikely?SID=69ef43f244100b5f008c685ced8b6694|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 May 2012|title=Celtic scouts monitor Chhetri|publisher=Goal.com|date=7 August 2009|access-date=7 August 2009|first=Rahul|last=Bali}}</ref> The Scottish club had watched Chhetri during a pre-season friendly with [[FC Santboià|Santboià]], a [[Segunda División B]] side, in a pre-season fixture.<ref name=Celtic /> Yogesh Joshee, Chhetri's agent, was quoted as saying, "I'm waiting to get feedback from Celtic, who saw him on Monday by head scout and then another scout came to watch game, I'll let you know the outcome when I know."<ref name=Celtic />

Then on 30 August 2009 it was announced by the ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' that Chhetri had signed a three-year contract with English [[Football League Championship]] side [[Queens Park Rangers]] but that he was denied a work permit by the British government.<ref name=HT9000>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/News/football/Chhetri-denied-UK-work-permit/Article1-448425.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125122223/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News/football/Chhetri-denied-UK-work-permit/Article1-448425.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 January 2013|title=Chhetri denied UK work permit|work=Hindustan Times|date=30 August 2009|access-date=10 September 2009}}</ref> According to an article on the [[Football Players' Association of India]]'s official website, Chhetri was denied a work permit because India were not in the top 70 of the [[FIFA World Rankings]]. Chhetri, however, remained positive: "But it's not the end of the world. I will still continue to work hard for my country and my club [[Dempo SC|Dempo]], who have been very supportive."<ref name=HT9000 />

Chhetri made his debut for Dempo against [[Air India FC|Air India]] on 14 September in a [[2009 Durand Cup|Durand Cup fixture]], scoring a penalty in a 4–1 win.<ref>{{cite news |title=Superb Dempo thrash Air India |url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Sports/superb-dempo-thrash-air-india/33376 |access-date=19 March 2024 |work=[[O Heraldo]] |date=15 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319061308/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Sports/superb-dempo-thrash-air-india/33376 |archive-date=19 March 2024}}</ref>

=== Kansas City ===

In March 2010 it was announced that Chhetri was on trial with the [[Sporting Kansas City|Kansas City Wizards]] of [[Major League Soccer]] and that he had played during their pre-season games.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.goal.com/en-india/news/222/transfer-zone/2010/03/24/1846658/sunil-chhetri-off-to-usa-to-fulfill-his-kansas-dream|title=Sunil Chhetri Off To USA To Fulfill His Kansas Dream|publisher=Goal.com|date=24 March 2010|access-date=27 March 2010|first=Rahul|last=Bali|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326093649/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/222/transfer-zone/2010/03/24/1846658/sunil-chhetri-off-to-usa-to-fulfill-his-kansas-dream|archive-date=26 March 2010}}</ref> He then formally signed for the team on 24 March 2010, becoming just the third Indian to play outside of South Asia and the first Indian to play in MLS.<ref name=MLSSigning /> [[Peter Vermes]], the head coach of the Wizards, was quoted as saying "One thing we really like about Sunil is that he's a crafty player. Technically he's very sharp, and he's a guy that has good attacking tendencies."<ref name=MLSSigning />

On 4 April 2010, he scored a hat-trick in Kansas City Wizards’ reserves 5–0 victory over [[Evansville]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Sports/chhetri-scores-hattrick-in-reserve-game-for-wizards/34738|date=5 April 2010|title=Chhetri scores hat-trick in reserve game for Wizards|access-date=3 December 2023|archive-date=3 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203155410/https://www.heraldgoa.in/Sports/chhetri-scores-hattrick-in-reserve-game-for-wizards/34738|url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 April 2010, Chhetri made his debut for the Wizards in a [[U.S. Open Cup]] qualification play-in game against the [[Colorado Rapids]]. He started but earned a yellow card and was substituted out of the game at half-time; Kansas City lost the match 1–2.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sunil Chhetri Makes Kansas City Debut|url=http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2010/04/sunil-chhetri-makes-kansas-city-debut|work=Sporting Kansas City|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225035729/http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2010/04/sunil-chhetri-makes-kansas-city-debut|archive-date=25 February 2014}}</ref> On 23 July 2010, it was announced that Chhetri would play in a mid-season friendly against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/frustrated-determined-chhetri-see-time-vs-man-utd|title=Frustrated but determined, Chhetri to see time vs. Man Utd|publisher=MLSsoccer.com|date=23 July 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724230611/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/frustrated-determined-chhetri-see-time-vs-man-utd|archive-date=24 July 2010}}</ref> The decision was criticised as a public relations exercise rather than one made on merit, as he had not yet played a league match.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2010/07/23/2038205/comment-are-kansas-city-wizards-playing-sunil-chhetri>|title=Are Kansas City Wizards Playing Sunil Chhetri Against Manchester United As A PR Exercise?|publisher=Goal.com|date=23 July 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611022645/http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2010/07/23/2038205/comment-are-kansas-city-wizards-playing-sunil-chhetri%3E|archive-date=11 June 2018}}</ref> On 25 July 2010, Chhetri made an appearance for the Wizards against Manchester United, coming on as a substitute for [[Teal Bunbury]] in the 69th minute as Kansas City won the match 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Release: Wizards beat Man United|url=http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2010/07/press-release-wizards-beat-man-united|work=Sporting Kansas City|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225233350/http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2010/07/press-release-wizards-beat-man-united|archive-date=25 December 2013}}</ref>

The next day, it was announced that Chhetri was to compete for the [[India national football team|India national team]] until the end of the [[2011 AFC Asian Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sunil Chhetri loaned to Indian team|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/1417148/report-sunil-chhetri-loaned-to-indian-team|work=DNA India|access-date=21 August 2013|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704180727/https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-sunil-chhetri-loaned-to-indian-team-1417148|url-status=live}}</ref> The Wizards (who had been renamed Sporting Kansas City) announced on 5 February 2011 that Chhetri had officially left the team.<ref>{{cite web |first=Kurt |last=Austin |url=http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2011/02/sporting-kc-makes-four-roster-moves |title=Sporting KC Makes Four Roster Moves &#124; Sporting Kansas City |publisher=Sportingkc.com |date=7 February 2011 |access-date=29 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913030128/http://www.sportingkc.com/news/2011/02/sporting-kc-makes-four-roster-moves |archive-date=13 September 2012}}</ref>

=== Chirag United ===
On 10 February 2011, it was announced that [[United SC|Chirag United]] had beaten [[United Sikkim FC|United Sikkim]] to the signing of Sunil Chhetri for the rest of the [[2010–11 I-League]] season.<ref>{{cite web|title=I-League: Indian National Team Striker Sunil Chhetri Signs For Chirag United|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2011/02/10/2347011/i-league-indian-national-team-striker-sunil-chhetri-signs|work=Goal.com|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502061932/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2011/02/10/2347011/i-league-indian-national-team-striker-sunil-chhetri-signs|archive-date=2 May 2014}}</ref> On 3 April 2011, Chhetri scored his first goal for Chirag United against [[Dempo SC|Dempo]], however, Dempo won the match 4–2.<ref>{{cite web|title=PRAYAG UNITED VS. DEMPO 2 – 4|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/04/03/india/i-league/chirag-united-sc/dempo-sports-club/1044889/|work=Soccerway|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611022645/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/04/03/india/i-league/chirag-united-sc/dempo-sports-club/1044889/|archive-date=11 June 2018}}</ref> Chhetri then scored a brace on 29 April 2011 against [[ONGC FC|ONGC]] to help salvage a 2–2 draw for Chirag.<ref>{{cite web|title=ONGC VS. PRAYAG UNITED 2 – 2|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/04/29/india/i-league/ongc/chirag-united-sc/1044918/|work=Soccerway|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601052040/http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/04/29/india/i-league/ongc/chirag-united-sc/1044918/|archive-date=1 June 2013}}</ref>

=== Mohun Bagan ===
On 22 July 2011, it was announced by [[I-League]] club [[Mohun Bagan Super Giant|Mohun Bagan]] that Chhetri had rejoined the club and signed a one-year deal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2011/07/23/2586796/i-league-sunil-chhetri-returns-to-former-club-mohun-bagan |title=I-League: Sunil Chhetri Returns To Former Club Mohun Bagan For A Year |publisher=Goal.com |access-date=29 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015225802/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2011/07/23/2586796/i-league-sunil-chhetri-returns-to-former-club-mohun-bagan |archive-date=15 October 2012}}</ref> He made his debut on 23 October 2011 in [[2011-12 I-League]] opening game against [[Pailan Arrows]] where he started the game in a 3–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/sports/report/i-league-bagan-victory-riding-odafa-hattrick/20111023.htm|date=23 October 2011|title=I-League: Mohun Bagan ride on Odafa's hat-trick|access-date=3 December 2023|archive-date=3 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203154120/https://m.rediff.com/sports/report/i-league-bagan-victory-riding-odafa-hattrick/20111023.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> On 6 November, he scored his first goals when he struck twice in a thumping 5–1 win over [[Mumbai FC]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/mohun-bagan-trounce-mumbai-fc-5-1-in-i-league-match/articleshow/10633443.cms|date=6 November 2011|title=Mohun Bagan trounce Mumbai FC 5–1 in I-League match|newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=3 December 2023|archive-date=20 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220132134/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/mohun-bagan-trounce-mumbai-fc-5-1-in-i-league-match/articleshow/10633443.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Sporting CP B ===
On 4 July 2012, it was reported that Chhetri had signed a two-year contract with [[Sporting CP]] and would play in their [[Sporting CP B|reserve team]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chhetri-joins-sporting-clube-de-portugal-b-side/269478-5-21.html|title=Sunil Chhetri joins Sporting Clube de Portugal 'B' side|publisher=CNN IBN Live|access-date=5 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707010757/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/chhetri-joins-sporting-clube-de-portugal-b-side/269478-5-21.html|archive-date=7 July 2012}}</ref> He made his debut for the side in a [[Segunda Liga]] match against [[S.C. Freamunde|Freamunde]] in which he came on in the 85th minute as Sporting CP B won the match 2–0.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sunil Chhetri makes his debut for Sporting Lisbon|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/197280-sunil-chhetri-makes-his-debut-for-sporting-lisbon|work=NDTV|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114102726/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/197280-sunil-chhetri-makes-his-debut-for-sporting-lisbon|archive-date=14 November 2015}}</ref>

==== Loan to Churchill Brothers ====
On 13 February 2013, it was announced that in order to get more playing time Chhetri would be loaned out to [[Churchill Brothers FC Goa|Churchill Brothers]] in the [[I-League]] for the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Release|url=http://www.sporting.pt/English/News/newsfut_eng_futsunilloan_130213_106531.asp|work=Sporting Clube de Portugal|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227223125/http://www.sporting.pt/English/News/newsfut_eng_futsunilloan_130213_106531.asp|archive-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> He made his debut for Churchill Brothers on 21 February 2013 against [[Dempo SC|Dempo]] in the first game of [[2012–13 Goa Professional League season]] championship round in which Chhetri started and scored a brace in a 2–0 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/dream-debut-for-india-captain-sunil-chhetri-at-churchill-brothers|date=21 February 2013|title=Dream debut for India captain Sunil Chhetri at Churchill Brothers|access-date=3 December 2023|archive-date=3 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203151355/https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/dream-debut-for-india-captain-sunil-chhetri-at-churchill-brothers|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his continental debut on 26 February 2013 against [[Kitchee SC|Kitchee]] in the [[2013 AFC Cup]] in which Chhetri started as Churchill Brothers lost 0–3.<ref>{{cite web|title=KITCHEE VS. CHURCHILL BROTHERS 3 – 0|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/02/26/asia/afc-cup/kitchee-fc/churchill-brothers-sc/1419258/|work=Soccerway|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411041323/http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/02/26/asia/afc-cup/kitchee-fc/churchill-brothers-sc/1419258/|archive-date=11 April 2013}}</ref> He then scored his first goal for Churchill Brothers in their next match against [[Semen Padang F.C.|Semen Padang]] on 12 March 2013 in which he started and scored in the 27th minute as Churchill Brothers drew the match 2–2.<ref>{{cite web|title=CHURCHILL BROTHERS VS. SEMEN 2 – 2|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/03/12/asia/afc-cup/churchill-brothers-sc/ps-semen-padang/1419261/|work=Soccerway|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617065145/http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/03/12/asia/afc-cup/churchill-brothers-sc/ps-semen-padang/1419261/|archive-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> After the season ended, Chhetri had scored four goals in eight league matches as he helped Churchill Brothers to their second ever I-League title.<ref>{{cite web|title=Churchill Brothers are I-League champions 2012–13|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/207430-churchill-brothers-are-i-league-champions-2012-13|work=NDTV|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510160724/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/207430-churchill-brothers-are-i-league-champions-2012-13|archive-date=10 May 2013}}</ref>

=== Bengaluru ===

==== 2013–14 ====
On 19 July 2013, following his release from [[Sporting CP]], Chhetri signed with new direct-entry [[I-League]] side [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]] for the [[2013–14 I-League|2013–14]] season.<ref>{{cite web|title=JSW Sports sign National Team Captain Sunil Chhetri|url=http://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=5070|work=The All India Football Federation|access-date=21 August 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054904/http://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=5070|archive-date=21 September 2013}}</ref> He made his debut for the club in their opening game on 22 September 2013 against [[Mohun Bagan Super Giant|Mohun Bagan]] in which he came on as a 46th-minute substitute for [[Beikhokhei Beingaichho]] as Bengaluru managed a 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite web|title=BENGALURU VS. MOHUN BAGAN 1 – 1|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/22/india/i-league/bengaluru/mohun-bagan-ac/1585279/|work=Soccerway|access-date=12 October 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015113729/http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/22/india/i-league/bengaluru/mohun-bagan-ac/1585279/|archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> Chhetri then scored his first goal for the side in the next game against [[Rangdajied United FC|Rangdajied United]] in which he found the net in the 67th minute as Bengaluru won 3–0.<ref>{{cite web|title=BENGALURU VS. RANGDAJIED UNITED 3 – 0|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/29/india/i-league/bengaluru/arhima-club/1585286/|work=Soccerway|access-date=12 October 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103000305/http://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/29/india/i-league/bengaluru/arhima-club/1585286/|archive-date=3 November 2013}}</ref>

He did not score again for Bengaluru till November when, on the 2nd against [[Mumbai FC|Mumbai]], Chhetri scored from the penalty-spot in the 57th minute to help Bengaluru FC to a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web|title=MUMBAI VS. BENGALURU 2 – 2|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/11/02/india/i-league/mumbai-fc/bengaluru/1585329/?ICID=PL_MS_04|work=Soccerway|access-date=16 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611022645/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/11/02/india/i-league/mumbai-fc/bengaluru/1585329/?ICID=PL_MS_04|archive-date=11 June 2018}}</ref> He then scored his first brace of the season against on 1 December 2013 against [[Shillong Lajong FC|Shillong Lajong]] in which his 7th and 34th-minute strikes helped the team to a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|title=BENGALURU VS. SHILLONG LAJONG 2 – 1|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/12/01/india/i-league/bengaluru/lajong-sc/1585356/?ICID=PL_MS_08|work=Soccerway|access-date=1 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611022644/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/12/01/india/i-league/bengaluru/lajong-sc/1585356/?ICID=PL_MS_08|archive-date=11 June 2018}}</ref> Then in the next match against former club [[Churchill Brothers FC Goa|Churchill Brothers]] Chhetri scored another brace as he led Bengaluru FC to a 3–1 victory.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bengaluru FC beat Churchill, extend lead at top|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/Bengaluru-FC-beat-Churchill-extend-lead-at-top/articleshow/26971897.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=6 December 2013 |access-date=8 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214082234/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-12-06/i-league/44862929_1_bengaluru-fc-churchill-brothers-sunil-chhetri|archive-date=14 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> He then scored his third brace in a row in the very next match against [[Mohammedan SC (Kolkata)|Mohammedan]] as he led Bengaluru FC to a 3–2 win in [[Kolkata]].<ref name="Mohammedan Away">{{cite web|last=Bera|first=Koustav|title=Mohammedan Sporting 2–3 Bengaluru FC: The table toppers win the five goal thriller amidst controversy and furore|url=http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/mohammedan-sporting-2-3-bengaluru-fc-another-chhetri-103000301.html|work=Yahoo! Sports|access-date=22 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224113954/http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/mohammedan-sporting-2-3-bengaluru-fc-another-chhetri-103000301.html|archive-date=24 December 2013}}</ref>

Chhetri then finished off an impressive first half of the season for Bengaluru with a goal from the penalty spot against [[Salgaocar FC|Salgaocar]], his ninth of the season, as he led the Bangalore side to a 2–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|title=I-league: Bengaluru FC beat Salgaocar FC 2–1 through penalties|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/218552-i-league-bengaluru-fc-beat-salgaocar-fc-2-1-through-penalties|work=NDTV Sports|access-date=22 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226023500/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/218552-i-league-bengaluru-fc-beat-salgaocar-fc-2-1-through-penalties|archive-date=26 December 2013}}</ref> He then scored another goal in the team's first [[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]] match against [[Sporting Clube de Goa|Sporting Goa]] as Bengaluru FC won 5–3 on 15 January 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Federation Cup: Bengaluru FC register 5–3 win over Sporting Clube de Goa|url=http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/219537-federation-cup-bengaluru-fc-register-5-3-win-over-sporting-clube-de-goa|work=NDTV Sport|access-date=16 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118112232/http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/219537-federation-cup-bengaluru-fc-register-5-3-win-over-sporting-clube-de-goa|archive-date=18 January 2014}}</ref> With 14 goals and 7 assist in 23 appearances in the season, Chhetri led Bengaluru FC to their first ever [[I-League]] title in its debut season.

==== 2014–15 ====
Chhetri began the season in the [[2014 Durand Cup]], playing and scoring three times but missed the penalty in the shoot-out in the semi-final against [[Salgaocar FC|Salgaocar]] which turned out to be the decisive penalty miss as [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]] crashed out.

Chhetri scored a brace in his side's first match of [[2014–15 Indian Federation Cup|2014–15 Federation Cup]] against [[Salgaocar FC|Salgaocar]] in a match which eventually ended 3–2 in his side's favor. Chhetri scored another brace in the last group stage match of the [[2014-15 Indian Federation Cup|cup]] against [[Pune FC|Pune]], scoring one from open play and one from the penalty spot and thus leading his side to the semi-final. He kept up his form in the semi-final against [[Sporting Clube de Goa|Sporting Goa]] and assisted [[Sean Rooney (soccer)|Sean Rooney]] for the first goal and scored the second goal in a match which ended 3–0 in his side's favor. Chhetri scored his 6th goal of the tournament in the final, thus helping them win the [[2014-15 Indian Federation Cup|2014–15 Federation Cup]]. Sunil scored his first goal of the [[2014–15 I-League|2014–15 season]] in the 7th round away to [[Mohun Bagan Super Giant|Mohun Bagan]] from a [[Eugeneson Lyngdoh]] cross but couldn't prevent his team from going down 4–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/mohun-bagan-vs-bengaluru/1980999/report|title=Mohun Bagan 4 – 1 Bengaluru Match report – 20/02/15 I-League – Goal.com|work=goal.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222012122/http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/mohun-bagan-vs-bengaluru/1980999/report|archive-date=22 February 2015}}</ref> The CEO of Bengaluru FC, Parth Jindal confirmed that Chhetri along with [[Robin Singh (footballer)|Robin Singh]] and [[Thoi Singh]] will become contracted to the [[Indian Super League]] at the end of the season, to join the ISL team that drafts them in, but an arrangement has been agreed that they will be loaned back to Bengaluru for the next I-League season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2015/06/02/12314682/jindal-will-chhetri-stay-with-bengaluru-if-we-do-not-offer?ICID=SP|title=Jindal: Will Chhetri stay with Bengaluru if we do not offer ISL?|work=Goal.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145151/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2015/06/02/12314682/jindal-will-chhetri-stay-with-bengaluru-if-we-do-not-offer?ICID=SP|archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>

=== Mumbai City ===
Chhetri was picked up by [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]] during the 2015 Indian Super League for ₹1.2 crores, making him the most expensive Indian player at the auctions.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/indian-super-league-2015-auctions-sunil-chetri-goes-to-mumbai-city-fc-for-rs-120-crores/article7407272.ece |title=Sunil Chetri goes to Mumbai City FC for Rs 1.20 crore |newspaper=The Hindu |date=10 July 2015 |access-date=28 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611022644/http://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/indian-super-league-2015-auctions-sunil-chetri-goes-to-mumbai-city-fc-for-rs-120-crores/article7407272.ece |archive-date=11 June 2018|last1=Marar |first1=Nandakumar }}</ref> He missed his team's first and second round matches in the [[2015 Indian Super League season]] through national team commitments, playing against [[Turkmenistan national football team|Turkmenistan]] and [[Oman national football team|Oman]] in Group D of the [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|2018 World Cup qualifiers]], but returned against [[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]] in a 2–0 loss.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiansuperleague.com/mumbai-city-fc/news/2540-mendoza-brace-helps-chennai-register-second-win |title=Mendoza brace helps Chennai register second win |access-date=28 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018021306/http://www.indiansuperleague.com/mumbai-city-fc/news/2540-mendoza-brace-helps-chennai-register-second-win |archive-date=18 October 2015}}</ref> He scored twice in his second game of the season against [[Roberto Carlos]] lead [[Odisha FC|Delhi Dynamos]] in a 2–0 win, the first for his team in the season<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/2615-chhetri-brace-leads-mumbai-to-first-win |title=Chhetri brace leads Mumbai to first win |access-date=28 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024020800/http://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/2615-chhetri-brace-leads-mumbai-to-first-win |archive-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> before scoring again, from the penalty spot, in the very next game against then table toppers [[FC Goa|Goa]] managed by [[Zico (footballer)|Zico]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/2674-mumbai-city-fc-beat-table-toppers-fc-goa-2-0-at-home |title=Mumbai City FC beat table-toppers FC Goa 2–0 at home |access-date=28 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028002616/http://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/2674-mumbai-city-fc-beat-table-toppers-fc-goa-2-0-at-home |archive-date=28 October 2015}}</ref> Chhetri made history, becoming the first Indian player to score a hat-trick, in his fourth game of the season, against [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]] and taking his total of the season to 6 goals in 4 games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/2727-mumbai-city-drub-northeast-united-fc-5-1-at-home |title=Mumbai City FC drub NorthEast United FC 5–1 at home |access-date=28 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031001953/http://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/2727-mumbai-city-drub-northeast-united-fc-5-1-at-home |archive-date=31 October 2015}}</ref> he was the top scorer for Mumbai City for that season as he poached 7 Goals. fast forward to 2018 he was still the pole position of all-time top scorers for Mumbai City FC. he came back in Mumbai colors for 2015–16 season, the team done well this time as they reached playoffs for first time, but national commitments & less game time with the likes of [[Diego Forlán]] & [[Sony Norde]] kept him away from score sheet. After two seasons with the islanders, he signed a three-year contract which made him the highest-paid Indian player in 2017.

=== Return to Bengaluru ===

==== 2015–16 ====
Chhetri was loaned out to [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]] for the [[2015–16 I-League]] season, where he ended up scoring 5 times in the league, thus helping his team win the league title for the second time in three years. He also scored twice in a round of 16 match against [[Kitchee SC|Kitchee]] in the [[2016 AFC Cup]], helping his side to an unlikely 2–3 win away from home. This would be the first time Bengaluru had reached the quarter-finals of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/sunil-chhetri/64395/ |title=India – S. Chhetri – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway |access-date=11 March 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312160323/https://int.soccerway.com/players/sunil-chhetri/64395/ |archive-date=12 March 2018}}</ref>

==== 2016–17 ====
On 9 June 2016, Bengaluru announced that Chhetri had signed a one-year contract at the club, thus reverting his ownership rights to the club from [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bengalurufc.com/chhetri-pens-new-deal-with-bengaluru-fc/ |title=Chhetri pens new deal with Bengaluru FC &#124; Bengaluru Football Club |access-date=10 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612210650/http://www.bengalurufc.com/chhetri-pens-new-deal-with-bengaluru-fc/ |archive-date=12 June 2016}}</ref> Chhetri scored twice as Bengaluru won the [[2016 AFC Cup]] semi-final tie by beating [[Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C.|Johor Darul Ta'zim]] in Bengaluru. Chhetri's second goal was a 30-yard strike, where he received the ball from [[C. K. Vineeth]], beat one defender and unleashed a screamer to give Bengaluru the lead.

==== 2017–present ====
He scored 14 goals for the club during the [[2017–18 Indian Super League season]] and became the top Indian scorer of the league. He was also the second top scorer for Bengaluru in the league and won the [[Indian Super League Hero of the League|Hero of the League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stories/features/detail/indian-football-player-sunil-chhetri-isl-top-goal-scorer-indian-super-league/ |title=Sunil Chhetri: The Indian goal machine in the ISL |work=Olympic Channel |access-date=6 December 2020 |date=8 November 2020 |archive-date=2 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202225019/https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stories/features/detail/indian-football-player-sunil-chhetri-isl-top-goal-scorer-indian-super-league/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, Chhetri won the [[Super Cup (India)|Indian Super Cup]] with Bengaluru FC. With 9 goals, he was their top scorer  during their [[2018–19 Bengaluru FC season|2018–19 season]] in Indian Super League and helped to win the [[2018–19 Indian Super League season|league title]]. Chhetri was Bengaluru's topscorer during their [[2019–20 Bengaluru FC season|2019–20 campaign]]. During the [[2020–21 Bengaluru FC season|following season]], he scored eight goals and thus became the top scorer for the club for the third consecutive season. On 15 February 2021, Chhetri became the first player to make 200 appearances for Bengaluru FC.<ref>{{cite web|last=Moulee|first=Chandra|date=15 February 2021|title=ISL 2020–21: Sunil Chhetri set to play 200th match for Bengaluru FC|url=https://www.insidesport.co/isl-2020-21-sunil-chhetri-set-to-play-200th-match-for-bengaluru-fc/|access-date=15 February 2021|website=InsideSport|language=en-gb|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704180727/https://www.insidesport.co/isl-2020-21-sunil-chhetri-set-to-play-200th-match-for-bengaluru-fc/|url-status=live}}</ref> He scored his 100th goal for the club in the final league match of the [[2020–21 Indian Super League season]] against [[Jamshedpur FC|Jamshedpur]] on 25 February 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sportstar|first=Team|title=ISL 2020–21 news: Sunil Chhetri scores his 100th goal for Bengaluru FC|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/isl-news/isl-2020-21-news-sunil-chhetri-100-bengaluru-fc-goals-vs-jamshedpur-fc-jfc-vs-bfc-indian-football-news/article33894557.ece|access-date=28 February 2021|website=Sportstar|date=25 February 2021 |language=en|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704180727/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/isl-news/isl-2020-21-news-sunil-chhetri-100-bengaluru-fc-goals-vs-jamshedpur-fc-jfc-vs-bfc-indian-football-news/article33894557.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> On 20 June, it was announced that Chhetri had signed a two-year contract extension until 2023.<ref>{{cite web|author=Scroll Staff|title=Sunil Chhetri extends his stay at Bengaluru FC for two more years|url=https://footballexpress.in/isl-sunil-chhetri-extends-his-stay-at-bengaluru-fc-for-three-more-years/|access-date=24 June 2021|website=Football Express| date=24 June 2021 |language=en-US|archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704180727/https://footballexpress.in/isl-sunil-chhetri-extends-his-stay-at-bengaluru-fc-for-three-more-years/|url-status=live}}</ref> He won the [[2022 Durand Cup|2022]] edition of [[Durand Cup]] with the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.in/football/india-ind/story/4750058/durand-cup-2022-review-curtain-raiser-indian-football-season?platform=amp|title=Durand Cup 2022 review: The perfect curtain-raiser to the Indian football season|website=www.espn.in|publisher=[[ESPN]]|first=Aaditya|last=Narayan|date=19 September 2022|access-date=20 September 2022|location=Kolkata|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920142913/https://www.espn.in/football/india-ind/story/4750058/durand-cup-2022-review-curtain-raiser-indian-football-season?platform=amp|archive-date=20 September 2022}}</ref>

On 3 March 2023, Chhetri scored a controversial goal against [[Kerala Blasters FC]] in the knockout match of ISL 2022–23 season which led to the Blasters team walking out and the game forfeited in favour of Bengaluru.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/sunil-chhetris-goal-causes-major-isl-controversy-kerala-blasters-players-walk-off-the-pitch-watch-article-98397320 |title=Sunil Chhetri's goal causes major ISL controversy; Kerala Blasters players walk off the pitch – watch |date=3 March 2023 |access-date=3 March 2023 |archive-date=3 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303191510/https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/sunil-chhetris-goal-causes-major-isl-controversy-kerala-blasters-players-walk-off-the-pitch-watch-article-98397320 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 7 December 2024, Chhetri scored a hat-trick against Kerala Blasters, breaking [[Bartholomew Ogbeche]]'s record to become the oldest player to score an Indian Super League hat-trick.<ref>https://olympics.com/en/news/sunil-chhetri-oldest-player-score-hat-trick-isl-2024-25-bengaluru-fc-kbfc#:~:text=At%2040%20years%20and%20126,days%20old%20in%20January%202023.</ref>

== International career ==
[[File:The captain of Indian Football team, Shri Bhaichung Bhutia celebrating alongwith other players after winning the final of Nehru Football Cup between India and Syria, in New Delhi on August 29, 2007.jpg|thumb|Chhetri (right) celebrating with teammates, after winning the [[2007 Nehru Cup]] final against [[Syria national football team|Syria]]]]
On 30 March 2004, Chhetri played his first game for the [[India national under-20 football team|India U-20 football team]] in the 1–0 victory over [[Pakistan national under-23 football team|Pakistan U-23]] team in the [[Football at the 2004 South Asian Games|2004 South Asian Games]] in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/43834/|title=Young side for Pakistan SAF Games|work=The Indian Express|first=Micky|last=Aigner|date=27 March 2004|access-date=30 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812053105/http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/43834/|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> On 3 April 2004, Chhetri scored twice for the India U-20 team against [[Bhutan national under-23 football team|Bhutan U-23]] team in their 4–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/2004safgames.html|title=The Indian U20 Team at the 2004 Islamabad SAF Games|work=indianfootball.de|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002616/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/2004safgames.html|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> On 12 June 2005 Sunil scored his first goal on his debut for the senior [[India national football team]] against [[Pakistan national football team|Pakistan]] in the eventual 1–1 draw.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2005/jun/12pak.htm|title=Pakistan hold India in first football match|publisher=Rediff|date=12 June 2005|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812114221/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2005/jun/12pak.htm|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref>

On 15 October 2019, Chhetri became the only Indian to secure a place in the list of top 10 goalscorers in international football.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.storyminter.com/sports/proud-moment-for-india-as-sunil-chhetri-earns-a-spot-among-the-top-10-international-goalscorers/|title=Proud Moment For India As Sunil Chhetri Earns A Spot Among The Top 10 International Goalscorers|publisher=Story Minter|date=22 October 2019|access-date=22 October 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022085213/https://www.storyminter.com/sports/proud-moment-for-india-as-sunil-chhetri-earns-a-spot-among-the-top-10-international-goalscorers/|archive-date=22 October 2019}}</ref>

=== 2007–2011 ===
Chhetri's first international tournament was the [[Nehru Cup International Football Tournament 2007|2007 Nehru Cup]]. In the opening game, India defeated [[Cambodia national football team|Cambodia]] 6–0 with Chhetri scoring two goals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idINIndia-29029320070817|title=India outplay Cambodia 6–0 in Nehru Cup opener|agency=Reuters India|date=17 August 2007|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812103257/http://in.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idINIndia-29029320070817|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> He also scored a goal in the 2–3 defeat to [[Syria national football team|Syria]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://telegraphindia.com/1070824/asp/sports/story_8231045.asp|title=Gallant India go down 2–3|work=Telegraph India|first=Jaydeep|last=Basu|date=24 August 2007|access-date=1 July 2009|location=Calcutta, India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811075302/http://telegraphindia.com/1070824/asp/sports/story_8231045.asp|archive-date=11 August 2009}}</ref> and another in the 3–0 win over [[Kyrgyzstan national football team|Kyrgyzstan]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://andhracafe.com/index.php?m=show&id=26392|title=India beat Kyrgyzstan 3–0|publisher=Andhra Cafe|date=27 August 2007|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220193204/http://www.andhracafe.com/index.php?m=show&id=26392|archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> to take his goal tally to four. Chhetri was involved in the build-up to [[Pappachen Pradeep]]'s decisive goal as India beat [[Syria national football team|Syria]] 1–0 in the final to become the first champions of the tournament since 1997.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/14513/National/1/20/1 |title=India defeats Syria 1–0 in Nehru Cup final |publisher=Indopia |access-date=1 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812053035/http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/14513/National/1/20/1 |archive-date=12 August 2009 }}</ref> Later in 2007, India began their [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] qualification campaign. They were knocked out in the [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC first round|first round]] by [[Lebanon national football team|Lebanon]] with Chhetri scoring once in the away leg (a 4–1 defeat)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/matches/round=250425/match=300033467/report.html|title=Lebanon 4–1 India|publisher=FIFA|date=8 October 2007|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716155022/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/matches/round=250425/match=300033467/report.html|archive-date=16 July 2014}}</ref> and once in the home leg (a 2–2 draw)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/matches/round=250425/match=300033484/report.html|title=India 2–2 Lebanon|publisher=FIFA|date=30 October 2007|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101091735/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/matches/round=250425/match=300033484/report.html|archive-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> resulting in a 6–3 [[Two-legged tie|aggregate]] defeat.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKDEL6231920071030|title=Lebanon beat India on aggregate in World Cup qualifier|work=Reuters|date=30 October 2007|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812113123/http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKDEL6231920071030|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref>

[[File:Sunil Chhetri (2008 AFC Challenge Cup).jpg|thumb|left|alt=Chhetri on his knees in a blue football shirt and blue football shorts. His arms are outstretched and he is smiling after just scoring a goal.|Chhetri celebrating after scoring in the [[2008 AFC Challenge Cup]]]]

The [[SAFF Championship 2008|2008 SAFF Championship]] started with three victories out of a possible three in the group stages. In the opening game, Chhetri scored a goal in a 4–0 victory over [[Nepal national football team|Nepal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=1962|title=India 4 – 0 Nepal: Champs in control|publisher=Maldive Soccer|date=3 June 2008|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213115238/http://www.maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=1962|archive-date=13 February 2012}}</ref> He scored once more in the championship—in the 2–1 semi-final victory over [[Bhutan national football team|Bhutan]]; this was an [[equaliser (sports)|equaliser]] before [[Gouramangi Singh]] scored India's second goal to send India through to the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=2001|title=India 2 – 1 Bhutan: Holders into the final|publisher=Maldive Soccer|date=11 June 2008|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213115323/http://maldivesoccer.net/v4/?page=story&id=2001|archive-date=13 February 2012}}</ref> India lost 1–0 to the [[Maldives national football team|Maldives]] in the final and Chhetri played for the full 90 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://footiemag.de/matches_25609_india_vs_maldives_14-06-.html|title=India – Maldives 0:1|publisher=Footiemag.de|date=14 June 2008|access-date=1 July 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410094301/http://footiemag.de/matches_25609_india_vs_maldives_14-06-.html|archive-date=10 April 2009}}</ref> Later that year, in the [[2008 AFC Challenge Cup]], Chhetri played in all of the matches and scored four goals. In the 1–0 win over [[Afghanistan national football team|Afghanistan]], he was involved in the build-up to [[Climax Lawrence]]'s goal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Injury_time_goal_by_Climax_gives_India_1-0_win_over_Afghanistan_/articleshow/3307518.cms|title=Injury time goal by Climax gives India 1–0 win over Afghanistan|work=India Times|date=30 July 2008|access-date=30 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103162727/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Injury_time_goal_by_Climax_gives_India_1-0_win_over_Afghanistan_/articleshow/3307518.cms|archive-date=3 November 2012}}</ref> He also played for the full 90 minutes against [[Tajikistan national football team|Tajikistan]] (a 1–1 draw)<ref>{{cite news|url=http://images.the-afc.com/Documents/competitions/fixtures/252-1709.pdf|title=Tajikistan 1–1 India|publisher=AFC|date=1 August 2008|access-date=30 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205095221/http://images.the-afc.com/Documents/competitions/fixtures/252-1709.pdf|archive-date=5 February 2009}}</ref> and [[Turkmenistan national football team|Turkmenistan]] (a 2–1 win).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://images.the-afc.com/Documents/competitions/fixtures/252-1711.pdf|title=Turkmenistan 1–2 India|publisher=AFC|date=3 August 2008|access-date=30 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205095225/http://images.the-afc.com/Documents/competitions/fixtures/252-1711.pdf|archive-date=5 February 2009}}</ref> In the semi-final against [[Myanmar national football team|Myanmar]], Chhetri scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory after being assisted by [[Bhaichung Bhutia]] to see India through to the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2008/aug/07afc.htm|title=Chhetri's late goal takes India to final|publisher=Rediff|date=7 August 2008|access-date=30 June 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812114236/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2008/aug/07afc.htm|archive-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> In the final against Tajikistan, Chhetri scored a [[hat-trick]] which enabled India to win the Cup. This automatically qualified India for the [[2011 Asian Cup]], the first time they had qualified for the tournament in 24 years.<ref name="Kashmiri hug in football's 24-yr moment">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080814/jsp/frontpage/story_9691545.jsp|title=Kashmiri hug in football's 24-yr moment|work=Telegraph India|first=Jaydeep|last=Basu|date=13 August 2008|access-date=30 June 2009|location=Calcutta, India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811075306/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080814/jsp/frontpage/story_9691545.jsp|archive-date=11 August 2009}}</ref> His first goal was originally disallowed for [[offside (association football)|offside]] by Uzbek referee [[Valentin Kovalenko]], who changed his mind after consulting his [[Assistant referee (association football)|assistant]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com///sports/2008/aug/13afc.htm|title=India win AFC Challenge Cup|publisher=Rediff|date=13 August 2008|access-date=7 July 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905211810/http://www.rediff.com/sports/2008/aug/13afc.htm|archive-date=5 September 2008}}</ref> Hundreds of fans waited outside the stadium to greet India's new "[[poster child|poster boy]]" and India manager [[Bob Houghton]] stated, "He is remarkable, brave and honest. He never gives up."<ref name="Kashmiri hug in football's 24-yr moment" />

[[File:Ahmad Faisal - football - C.jpg|170px|thumb|right|alt=Sunil Chhetri tackling against Afghanistan.|Chhetri at the [[2011 SAFF Championship]].]]
Initially, Goal.com stated that Chhetri would miss the [[Nehru Cup International Football Tournament 2009|2009 Nehru Cup]] through injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2525/ongc-nehru-cup-09/2009/08/19/1448173/nehru-cup-probably-i-wont-play-sunil-chhetri|title=Nehru Cup: Probably I Won't Play – Sunil Chhetri|publisher=Goal.com|date=19 August 2009|access-date=24 August 2009|first=Amoy|last=Ghoshal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008192216/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2525/ongc-nehru-cup-09/2009/08/19/1448173/nehru-cup-probably-i-wont-play-sunil-chhetri|archive-date=8 October 2012}}</ref> He played in the tournament, however, and he scored in the second match of the Nehru Cup, a penalty in a 2–1 win over Kyrgyzstan,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/1478 |title=India 2–1 Kyrgyzstan |publisher=Indianfootball.com |date=23 August 2009 |access-date=24 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826121758/http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/1478 |archive-date=26 August 2009 }}</ref> this being first time he had completed a full match since getting injured before the pre-season tour of Spain with his club.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2525/ongc-nehru-cup-09/2009/08/24/1458817/nehru-cup-lets-win-nehru-cup-for-bhaichung-sunil-chhetri|title=Nehru Cup: Let's Win Nehru Cup For Bhaichung – Sunil Chhetri|publisher=Goal.com|date=24 August 2009|access-date=10 September 2009|first=Amoy|last=Ghoshal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827150706/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2525/ongc-nehru-cup-09/2009/08/24/1458817/nehru-cup-lets-win-nehru-cup-for-bhaichung-sunil-chhetri|archive-date=27 August 2009}}</ref> He featured in the other three games in the [[Round-robin tournament|round robin]] stage of the tournament, including the "{{Linktext|dress rehearsal}}" for the final against Syria, but did not score.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/1475 |title=FULL TIME: India 0–1 Lebanon |publisher=IndianFootball.com |date=19 August 2009 |access-date=2 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822132017/http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/1475 |archive-date=22 August 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/1481 |title=FULL TIME: India 3–1 Sri Lanka |publisher=IndianFootball.com |date=26 August 2009 |access-date=2 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620051916/http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/1481 |archive-date=20 June 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/1484 |title=FULL TIME: India 0–1 Syria |publisher=IndianFootball.com |date=29 August 2009 |access-date=2 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901114344/http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/1484 |archive-date=1 September 2009 }}</ref> Chhetri was one of India's scorers in the penalty shootout victory over Syria in the final after the match had ended in a 1–1 draw. He showed flashes of brilliance and scored the second goal in a 5–2 defeat at the hands of [[Bahrain national football team|Bahrain]] in the 2011 Asian Cup. He also scored a goal against [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]] at the [[2011 AFC Asian Cup]].<ref name="Forgettable">{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2642/player-ratings/2009/08/31/1472860/player-ratings-india-6-5-syria-1-1-aet|title=Player Ratings: India 6–5 Syria (1–1 AET)|publisher=Goal.com|date=31 August 2009|access-date=2 September 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902142034/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2642/player-ratings/2009/08/31/1472860/player-ratings-india-6-5-syria-1-1-aet|archive-date=2 September 2009}}</ref>

He was named the national team Captain for the [[2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification]] which took place in Malaysia. On 16 November 2011 Chhetri scored in the 39th and 53rd minute for India against Malaysia in a friendly match played at the [[Salt Lake Stadium]]. The match ended 3–2 in favour of India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=2835|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715081034/http://the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=2835|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 July 2012|title = :::: The Aiff ::::}}</ref>
On 11 December 2011 after scoring a goal in SAFF Cup's final he set a new record by scoring seven goals in a single edition of the SAFF Championship surpassing [[I. M. Vijayan]]'s record of six goals in the 97 edition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-sports.org/football-soccer-1997-south-asian-saff-championship-epr95600.html|title=Football – Soccer – South Asian (SAFF) Championship – 1997|access-date=1 December 2021|archive-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201040306/https://www.the-sports.org/football-soccer-1997-south-asian-saff-championship-epr95600.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2012–2016 ===
[[File:Indian team.jpg|thumb|190px|Chhetri (''no 11'') lining up with teammates of the national team in 2012]]
On 22 August 2012, Chhetri scored a goal with a header in the added time of the first half against Syria in the first match of [[2012 Nehru Cup]] where India won the match 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bali|first=Rahul|title=India 2–1 Syria: Chhetri and Pereira get Koevermans off to a winning start|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/89418/india-vs-syria/report|publisher=goal.com|access-date=24 August 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824012105/http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/89418/india-vs-syria/report|archive-date=24 August 2012}}</ref> In the second match, which was on 25 August he scored two goals against [[Maldives]], one goal coming from penalty where the team won 3–0.<ref>{{cite web|title=India vs Maldives Lineups and Statistics|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/89421/india-vs-maldives/lineup-stats|publisher=goal.com|access-date=26 August 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117041222/http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/89421/india-vs-maldives/lineup-stats|archive-date=17 January 2014}}</ref> In the final against fancied opponents Cameroon, Chhetri scored from a well-taken penalty kick to equalize the score at 2–2. In the ensuing penalty shootout which India won 5–4, Chhetri went as the second kick-taker from India and scored.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/sports/2012-nehru-cup-india-want-to-achieve-title-hattrick-but-cameroon-in-the-way|title=2012 Nehru Cup: India want to achieve title hattrick, but Cameroon in the way|date=2 September 2012 |access-date=1 December 2021|archive-date=9 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809100450/https://www.sportskeeda.com/sports/2012-nehru-cup-india-want-to-achieve-title-hattrick-but-cameroon-in-the-way|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2017–2021 ===
[[File:Sunil Chhetri meleeVs Thailand AFC Asian Cup.jpg|thumb|left|alt=|Chhetri (centre) in a [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]] group match against [[Thailand national football team|Thailand]]]]
On 11 October 2017, Chhetri scored and assisted in a 4–1 home win against [[Macau national football team|Macau]] in the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round|2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers]], with this win they qualified for the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]] after missing out in [[2015 AFC Asian Cup|2015]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news18.com/news/sports/india-vs-macau-afc-asian-cup-qualifier-highlights-as-it-happened-1543443.html|title=India vs Macau, AFC Asian Cup Qualifier, Highlights: As It Happened|date=11 October 2017|work=News18|access-date=11 October 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011232835/http://www.news18.com/news/sports/india-vs-macau-afc-asian-cup-qualifier-highlights-as-it-happened-1543443.html|archive-date=11 October 2017}}</ref> Chhetri captained India to a 13 match unbeaten run before losing the final match to [[Kyrgyzstan]]. Nonetheless, India qualified for the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]]. He was among four renowned Asian players including [[Ali Daei]], [[Sun Jihai]] and [[Phil Younghusband]] to be chosen for the seeds for the upcoming Asian cup.
[[File:Sunil Chhetri vs Thailand 2019.jpg|130px|thumb|right|alt=|Chhetri (left) at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup]]
In June 2018, Chhetri scored a hat-trick in a 5–0 win over [[Chinese Taipei national football team|Chinese Taipei]] in their first match of [[2018 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2018 Intercontinental Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/sunil-chhetri-hits-hat-trick-india-sink-chinese-taipei-5-0-in-intercontinental-cup/story-wC1WrZ2fdXxLu8U7DqXt5M.html |title= Sunil Chhetri hits hat-trick, India sink Chinese Taipei 5–0 in Intercontinental Cup |publisher= Hindustan Times |date= 11 June 2018 |access-date= 11 June 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143107/https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/sunil-chhetri-hits-hat-trick-india-sink-chinese-taipei-5-0-in-intercontinental-cup/story-wC1WrZ2fdXxLu8U7DqXt5M.html |archive-date= 12 June 2018 |url-status= live }}</ref> However, after this match, Chhetri was disappointed with the poor turnout at the stadium and he uploaded a video on [[Twitter]] requesting people to come to [[Mumbai Football Arena]] to support the Indian team. His video went viral and garnered widespread support from fans, celebrities and legendary [[cricketers]] like [[Sachin Tendulkar]] and [[Virat Kohli]]. The stadium was packed with exuberant crowd for the rest of the matches. In the second match of the tournament, which was also Chhetri's 100th international appearance for India and also scored two goals including a goal from penalty spot in a 3–0 victory over [[Kenya national football team|Kenya]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-vs-kenya-live-score-football-intercontinental-cup-sunil-chhetri-live-streaming-5203614|title=India vs Kenya Football Highlights Intercontinental Cup: Sunil Chhetri's brace earns India 3–0 victory|date=5 June 2018|publisher=The Indian Express|access-date=11 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162809/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-vs-kenya-live-score-football-intercontinental-cup-sunil-chhetri-live-streaming-5203614/|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Chhetri scored a goal in the next match against [[New Zealand national football team|New Zealand]], but the match ended 2–1 loss for India though India qualified for the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/intercontinental-cup-2018-india-vs-new-zealand-3-things-that-went-wrong-for-sunil-chhetri-and-co|title=Intercontinental Cup 2018: India vs New Zealand, 3 things that went wrong for Sunil Chhetri and co|date=8 June 2018 |publisher=Sportskeeda|access-date=11 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144207/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/intercontinental-cup-2018-india-vs-new-zealand-3-things-that-went-wrong-for-sunil-chhetri-and-co|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 10 June, Chhetri scored twice again in a 2–0 win over Kenya in the final to win the Intercontinental Cup title and also equalled [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]]'s [[Lionel Messi]]'s tally of 64 international goals, making him the joint-second active international goalscorer at that time in front of [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]]'s [[Cristiano Ronaldo]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/india-thrash-kenya-2-0-to-lift-intercontinental-cup-1865344|title=India Thrash Kenya 2–0 To Lift Intercontinental Cup|newspaper=Ndtvsports.com |publisher=NDTV|access-date=11 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611000011/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/india-thrash-kenya-2-0-to-lift-intercontinental-cup-1865344|archive-date=11 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished as the top scorer of the tournament with eight goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/india-win-2018-intercontinental-cup-final-kenya-mumbai/130u9ampl52hw1jwjfmabqpjec|title=India win 2018 Intercontinental Cup|publisher=Goal.com|access-date=11 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612114910/http://www.goal.com/en/news/india-win-2018-intercontinental-cup-final-kenya-mumbai/130u9ampl52hw1jwjfmabqpjec|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Chhetri's brace against [[Thailand national football team|Thailand]] on 6 January 2019 helped India to get a historic 4–1 win over them in the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Sportstar|first=Team|title=AFC Asian Cup 2019 Highlights: India stuns Thailand 4–1|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/asian-cup-2019/afc-2019-india-thailand-highlights-score-updates-commentary-todays-match-team-news-chhetri-penalty-goal-thapa-jeje/article25925449.ece|access-date=7 June 2021|website=Sportstar|date=6 January 2019 |language=en|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607163637/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/asian-cup-2019/afc-2019-india-thailand-highlights-score-updates-commentary-todays-match-team-news-chhetri-penalty-goal-thapa-jeje/article25925449.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 June 2021, Chhetri scored twice in a 2–0 win over [[Bangladesh national football team|Bangladesh]] in the [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification]].<ref>{{cite web|date=7 June 2021|title=India vs Bangladesh Live Score, FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifier: IND 2–0 BAN, FT|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-vs-bangladesh-fifa-2022-world-cup-qualifier-live-score-updates-7348085/|access-date=7 June 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607162649/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/india-vs-bangladesh-fifa-2022-world-cup-qualifier-live-score-updates-7348085/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 13 October 2021, he scored twice again in a 3–1 win over [[Maldives national football team|Maldives]] in the [[2021 SAFF Championship]], making him the joint-sixth all time international goalscorer at that time,<ref>{{cite web|title=SAFF Championship 2021: India down Maldives to set up final date against Nepal {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/live/india-vs-maldives-saff-championship-2021-live/1rfroafi8ouw1cy0x31nu0j5x|access-date=13 October 2021|website=Goal.com|archive-date=13 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013205655/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/live/india-vs-maldives-saff-championship-2021-live/1rfroafi8ouw1cy0x31nu0j5x|url-status=live}}</ref> and the third highest active international goalscorer in football, behind only to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref>{{cite web |title=India's Sunil Chhetri breaks Pele's international goal record after brace against Maldives |url=https://www.goal.com/en-my/news/indias-sunil-chhetri-breaks-pele-record-after-brace-against/1j59mj9i6c6uv1vka8ebds98a2 |access-date=13 October 2021 |date=13 October 2021 |website=Goal.com |language=en |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028173520/https://www.goal.com/en-my/news/indias-sunil-chhetri-breaks-pele-record-after-brace-against/1j59mj9i6c6uv1vka8ebds98a2 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 16 October 2021, he scored again in a 3–0 win over [[Nepal national football team|Nepal]] in the final of the [[2021 SAFF Championship]], equalling Messi's 80 international goals.<ref>{{cite web |title=India Blank Nepal 3–0, Win SAAF Championship For 8th Time; Sunil Chhetri Equals Lionel Messi With 80 Goals |url=https://www.india.com/sports/india-blank-nepal-3-0-win-saaf-championship-for-8th-time-sunil-chhetri-equals-lionel-messi-with-80-goals-5057130/ |access-date=16 October 2021 |date=16 October 2021 |website=India.com |language=en |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016172812/https://www.india.com/sports/india-blank-nepal-3-0-win-saaf-championship-for-8th-time-sunil-chhetri-equals-lionel-messi-with-80-goals-5057130/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2022–2024 ===
Due to some injuries after [[2021–22 Indian Super League season]], Sunil was not able to participate for International friendlies against [[Bahrain national football team|Bahrain]] and [[Belarus national football team|Belarus]] which were held in March 2022. Then he made his appearance against [[Jordan national football team|Jordan]] in an international friendly fixture which was played as a part of preparing for [[2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round|2023 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers]] which was going to be held in June 2022. 
On 8 June 2022, Chhetri played against [[Cambodia national football team|Cambodia]] in [[2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round|2023 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers]] where he scored a brace, from a penalty spot and a header from a cross from [[Brandon Fernandes]], by which [[Indian National Football Team|India]] won 2–0 in [[Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan|Salt Lake Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/chhetri-scores-brace-as-india-beats-cambodia-in-afc-asian-cup-qualifier/article65508529.ece| access-date=9 June 2022| title=Chhetri scores brace as India beats Cambodia in AFC Asian Cup qualifier| website=[[The Hindu]]| date=9 June 2022| last1=Sharma| first1=Amitabha Das| archive-date=9 August 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809100501/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/chhetri-scores-brace-as-india-beats-cambodia-in-afc-asian-cup-qualifier/article65508529.ece| url-status=live}}</ref> In the next match against [[Afghanistan national football team|Afghanistan]], he scored from a freekick taking his international goals tally to 83. India won 2–1 in the match. Chhetri scored his 84th goal against Hong Kong in a 4–0 win in the next match.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/afc-asian-cup-qualifiers-sunil-chhetri-and-sahal-score-as-india-beats-afghanistan-2-1/article38502201.ece | title=AFC Asian Cup qualifiers: Chhetri and Sahal score as India beats Afghanistan 2–1 | date=11 June 2022 | access-date=12 June 2022 | archive-date=12 June 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612113133/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/afc-asian-cup-qualifiers-sunil-chhetri-and-sahal-score-as-india-beats-afghanistan-2-1/article38502201.ece | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/06/14/asia/asian-cup-qualification/india/hong-kong/3757742/|title=India 4–0 Hong Kong|website=Soccerway|date=14 June 2022}}</ref> India qualified for the [[2023 AFC Asian Cup]] with Chettri becoming the top scorer in the [[2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round|third round]] of the qualifiers with 4 goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.in/football/india-ind/story/4685410/india-qualify-for-2023-asian-cup|access-date=14 June 2022|title=India qualify for 2023 Asian Cup, set for first back-to-back appearances|date=14 June 2022|archive-date=14 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614074151/https://www.espn.in/football/india-ind/story/4685410/india-qualify-for-2023-asian-cup|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Sunil Chhetri receiving award from Naveen Patnaik in 2024.jpg|thumb|[[Odisha]] CM [[Naveen Patnaik]] handing the [[2023 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2023 Intercontinental Cup]] trophy to Sunil Chhetri.]]
On 28 March, Chhetri scored his 85th goal against [[Kyrgyzstan national football team|Kyrgyzstan]] in the tri-nation friendly and overtook [[Ferenc Puskás]] to become the fifth-highest international goalscorer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chatterjee |first=Triyasha |date=28 March 2023 |title=India vs Kyrgyz Republic Highlights: Sunil Chhetri BREAKS Puskas RECORD, India win Tri-Nation Friendly Tournament- Watch Highlights |url=https://www.insidesport.in/football-india-vs-kyrgyz-republic-live-streaming-blue-tigers-square-off-kyrgyzstan-for-tri-nation-triumph-check-preview-team-news-predicted-xi-follow-tri-nation-friendly-live/ |access-date=28 March 2023 |website=www.insidesport.in |language=en-US |archive-date=28 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328145405/https://www.insidesport.in/football-india-vs-kyrgyz-republic-live-streaming-blue-tigers-square-off-kyrgyzstan-for-tri-nation-triumph-check-preview-team-news-predicted-xi-follow-tri-nation-friendly-live/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 June, Chhetri scored the opening goal of a 2–0 win over [[Lebanon national football team|Lebanon]] in the final of the 2023 [[Hero MotoCorp|Hero]] Intercontinental Cup, thus contributing decisively to help India win the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/champions-chhetri-and-his-knights-make-it-a-momentous-night-for-india |title=Champions! Chhetri and his knights make it a momentous night for India |language=en |website=www.the-aiff.com |date=18 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618173241/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/champions-chhetri-and-his-knights-make-it-a-momentous-night-for-india |url-status=live }}</ref> Chhetri was the joint-top scorer of the tournament with two goals alongside fellow teammate [[Lallianzuala Chhangte]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Das Sharma |first1=Amitabha |title=India beats Lebanon to win Intercontinental Cup title |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/india-win-intercontinental-cup-title-lebanon-score-result-goals-highlights-chhetri/article66983483.ece |access-date=18 June 2023 |work=[[Sportstar]] |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=18 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618181952/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/india-win-intercontinental-cup-title-lebanon-score-result-goals-highlights-chhetri/article66983483.ece|archive-date=18 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 21 June, Chhetri scored his 4th hat-trick for India in a 4–0 win over Pakistan in a group stage match of the [[2023 SAFF Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-hat-trick-in-indias-4-0-rout-of-pakistan-101687370000350.html |title=Sunil Chhetri hat-trick in India's 4–0 rout of Pakistan |language=en |website=www.hindustantimes.com |date=21 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624010744/https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-hat-trick-in-indias-4-0-rout-of-pakistan-101687370000350.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His third goal of the night was his 90th international goal, thus overtaking [[Mokhtar Dahari]]'s tally of 89 goals to become the second-highest Asian goalscorer in international football only behind [[Ali Daei]] of Iran, and the third among active players after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-breaks-international-goalscoring-record-to-move-closer-to-lionel-messi-2023-06-22-877304 |title=India vs Pakistan, SAFF Cup 2023: Sunil Chhetri moves close to Lionel Messi's record after hat-trick |language=en |website=www.indiatvnews.com |date=21 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |archive-date=23 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623112259/https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-breaks-international-goalscoring-record-to-move-closer-to-lionel-messi-2023-06-22-877304 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Retirement and comeback ===
On 16 May 2024, Chhetri posted a video on his social media handle of [[Twitter|X]], that the match against [[Kuwait national football team|Kuwait]] for the [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round#IND v KUW|2026 FIFA World Cup qualification]] on 6 June at the [[Salt Lake Stadium]] in Kolkata, would be his last international match of his career.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Sunil Chhetri |author-link=Sunil Chhetri |user=chetrisunil11 |number=1790953336901976541 |title=I'd like to say something.|date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250306185417/https://x.com/chetrisunil11/status/1790953336901976541  |archive-date=6 March 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sunil Chhetri: Indian football icon announces retirement from sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-69019411 |access-date=6 March 2025 |work=[[BBC]] |date=16 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306174900/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-69019411 |archive-date=6 March 2025}}</ref> However on 6 March 2025, [[All India Football Federation|AIFF]] officially mentioned Chhetri in the 26 member squad for March 2025 [[FIFA International Match Calendar|FIFA Window]]. It was revealed that, the then newly appointed head coach, [[Manolo Márquez]] requested Chhetri about making a comeback to strengthen the National Team for the third round of the [[2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round|2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification]], which he had agreed upon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Manolo Márquez includes Sunil Chhetri in squad list for March FIFA Window |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/manolo-marquez-includes-sunil-chhetri-in-squad-list-for-march-fifa-window |publisher=AIFF |access-date=6 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306175015/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/manolo-marquez-includes-sunil-chhetri-in-squad-list-for-march-fifa-window |archive-date=6 March 2025 |date=6 March 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In his first match following his return, Chhetri scored against [[Maldives national football team|Maldives]], heading in a [[Liston Colaco]] cross in the 75th minute. This was the third and final goal of the match, which eventually ended 3–0 to the Blue Tigers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/india-vs-maldives-today-football-match-live-score-updates-sunil-chhetri-2695882-2025-03-19|title=India vs Maldives, football Full Time: Chhetri, Bheke Colaco hand hosts 3–0 win|date=19 March 2025|website=India Today}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Sunil Chhetri was born on 3 August 1984 to [[Indian Gorkha]] father K. B. Chhetri, an officer in the [[Indian Army Corps of EME|Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers]] of the [[Indian Army]], and [[Nepalis|Nepali mother]] Sushila Chhetri in [[Secunderabad]], India.<ref>{{cite web|date=3 August 2021|title=Happy Birthday Sunil Chhetri: 5 Interesting Facts About The Indian Football Captain|url=https://www.news18.com/news/sports/happy-birthday-sunil-chhetri-5-interesting-facts-about-the-indian-football-captain-4039208.html|access-date=3 August 2021|website=News18|language=en|archive-date=3 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803102203/https://www.news18.com/news/sports/happy-birthday-sunil-chhetri-5-interesting-facts-about-the-indian-football-captain-4039208.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SWProfile"/><ref name="Sunil Chhetri: A thinking footballer">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Sunil-Chhetri-A-thinking-footballer/articleshow/6239829.cms |title=Sunil Chhetri: A thinking footballer |last=Dsouza |first=Stanislaus P |work=The Times of India |date=31 July 2010 |access-date=18 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803214915/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Sunil-Chhetri-A-thinking-footballer/articleshow/6239829.cms |archive-date=3 August 2010}}</ref><ref name="Sunil Chhetri's 32nd birthday: Lesser known facts about the Indian football team captain">{{Cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/sunil-chhetri-facts/1/455820.html |title=Sunil Chhetri's 32nd birthday: Lesser known facts about the Indian football team captain |work=IndiaToday.in |date=3 August 2016 |access-date=18 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118081818/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/sunil-chhetri-facts/1/455820.html |archive-date=18 November 2016}}</ref> His father played football for the [[Army Red (football team)|Indian Army football team]] while his mother and her twin sister played for the [[Nepal women's national football team|Nepal women's national team]].<ref name="profile">{{cite web|title=Indian star's soccer journey leads to K.C.|url=http://espnfc.com/feature?id=784787&cc=5901|publisher=[[ESPN]]|first=Leander|last=Schaerlaeckens|date=10 May 2010|access-date=19 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308005442/http://www.espnfc.com/story/784787/sunil-chhetri|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref> He spent most of his childhood in [[Darjeeling]]. Chhetri spent his childhood at Pashupati Fatak when he was a student of Bethany School, Darjeeling.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pashupati Fatak, the childhood home of Indian football icon Sunil Chettri |url=https://www.sikkimexpress.com/pashupati-fatak-the-childhood-home-of-indian-football-icon-sunil-chettri |access-date=5 September 2023 |website=Sikkimexpress |language=en |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220132133/https://www.sikkimexpress.com/pashupati-fatak-the-childhood-home-of-indian-football-icon-sunil-chettri |url-status=live }}</ref> He started playing football from a young age taking part in various tournaments.<ref name="Sunil Chhetri's mum is a former Nepali international">{{cite web|title=Sunil Chhetri's mum is a former Nepali international: Interview with Sunil Chhetri|url=http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=2013|work=Goal Nepal|date=29 April 2010|access-date=19 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201155643/http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=2013|archive-date=1 February 2014}}</ref> Chhetri speaks five languages fluently: English, Hindi, Nepali, Bengali and Kannada. He can also understand some Telugu, Marathi and Konkani.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://youtube.com/shorts/80iW69t37Gs?si=I4WXpeBOyUt3Vuw0|title=What languages does #Sunil Chhetri Speak?|website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=5 September 2023|archive-date=5 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905213824/https://www.youtube.com/shorts/80iW69t37Gs?si=I4WXpeBOyUt3Vuw0|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi felicitating the Indian football legends, at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup match, in New Delhi on October 06, 2017 (2).jpg|thumb|Chhetri being felicitated by the Prime Minister of India, [[Narendra Modi]], at the beginning of [[2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup]] in [[New Delhi]].]]
On 4 December 2017, Chhetri married his long time girlfriend Sonam Bhattacharya who is the daughter of former Indian international and [[Mohun Bagan Super Giant|Mohun Bagan]] player [[Subrata Bhattacharya]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sunil-chhetri-sonam-bhattacharya-wedding-mohun-bagan-bengaluru-fc/1/1103275.html|title=Sunil Chhetri marries long-time girlfriend Sonam Bhattacharya|access-date=8 December 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204231740/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sunil-chhetri-sonam-bhattacharya-wedding-mohun-bagan-bengaluru-fc/1/1103275.html|archive-date=4 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ডিফেন্সে থাকলে কীভাবে আটকাতেন জামাই সুনীলকে? জামাইষষ্ঠীর আগে টোটকা সুব্রতর|url=https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/sports/football/how-he-will-stop-son-in-law-sunil-chhetri-subrata-bhattacharya-replied/|publisher=[[Sangbad Pratidin]]|website=sangbadpratidin.in|date=10 June 2021|access-date=2 October 2022|first1=Abhisek|last1=Rakshit|first2=Soham|last2=Dey|language=bn|archive-date=20 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120060553/https://www.sangbadpratidin.in/sports/football/how-he-will-stop-son-in-law-sunil-chhetri-subrata-bhattacharya-replied/|url-status=live}}</ref> Sunil Chhetri was named an 'Asian Icon' by AFC on his 34th birthday in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Asian Icons: Sunil Chhetri|url=http://www.the-afc.com/features/asian-icons-sunil-chhetri|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719092902/http://www.the-afc.com/features/asian-icons-sunil-chhetri|archive-date=19 July 2019|access-date=12 August 2018|website=www.the-afc.com}}</ref> He signed a 3-year deal with global sports giant [[Puma (brand)|Puma]] starting from 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/starlife/sunil-chhetri-signs-three-year-deal-with-puma-indian-football-team-bengaluru-fc/article30265041.ece|title=Sunil Chhetri signs three-year deal with Puma|last=PTI|website=Sportstar|date=10 December 2019 |language=en|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230101202/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/starlife/sunil-chhetri-signs-three-year-deal-with-puma-indian-football-team-bengaluru-fc/article30265041.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 27 September 2022, [[FIFA]] launched a documentary on FIFA+, of three episodes named 'Captain Fantastic', which documents his pre-teen anguish, his debut for India aged 20, his romance with his future wife and his early days and peak as a football player.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/watch/series/1ieRgLbXaPkBeRzZWbKYCo/4OC0gmDobIAJEBmvscvrPo/5ts0Ve3KyJEyIVNhl8ZnTf |title=FIFA+ |access-date=28 September 2022 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928111615/https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/watch/series/1ieRgLbXaPkBeRzZWbKYCo/4OC0gmDobIAJEBmvscvrPo/5ts0Ve3KyJEyIVNhl8ZnTf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://sports.ndtv.com/football/fifa-launches-three-episode-series-on-life-career-of-legendary-footballer-sunil-chhetri-3384907 | title=FIFA Launches Three-Episode Series on Life, Career of Legendary Footballer Sunil Chhetri &#124; Football News | newspaper=Ndtvsports.com | access-date=28 September 2022 | archive-date=28 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928111617/https://sports.ndtv.com/football/fifa-launches-three-episode-series-on-life-career-of-legendary-footballer-sunil-chhetri-3384907 | url-status=live }}</ref> The 39-year-old footballer welcomed his son Dhruv with his wife Sonam Bhattacharya on 31 August 2023.

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{{updated|match played 12 April 2025}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|Cup{{efn|Includes [[Indian Federation Cup|Federation Cup]], [[Durand Cup]], [[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]], [[Super Cup (India)|Super Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental{{efn|Includes [[AFC Cup]], [[AFC Champions League]]}}
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|City Club Delhi
|[[2001–02 National Football League (India)|2001–02]]
|[[Delhi Premier League]]
|colspan="2" |— ||colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[Mohun Bagan]]
|{{Nowrap|[[2002–03 National Football League (India)|2002–03]]}}
|rowspan=3|[[National Football League (India)|National Football League]]
| rowspan="3" |18
|4
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—{{efn|Mohun Bagan participated in the [[2002–03 AFC Champions League qualification]], but Chhetri's stats are unknown.}}
| 10{{efn|Nine appearances and three goals [[Calcutta Football League]], one appearance and one goal in [[All Airlines Gold Cup]]}}
| 4
| rowspan="3" |72
|8
|-
|[[2003–04 National Football League (India)|2003–04]]
|2
| 3
| 0
| colspan="2" |—
|18{{efn|Ten appearances and three goals in Calcutta Football League, four appearances and one goal in All Airlines Gold Cup, four appearances in [[IFA Shield]]}}
|4
|6
|-
|[[2004–05 National Football League (India)|2004–05]]
|4
| 8
| 3
| colspan="2" |—
| 15{{efn|Twelve appearances and six goals in Calcutta Football League, three appearances and one goal in IFA Shield}}
| 7
|14
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!18
!10
!11
!3
! colspan="2" |—
!43
!15
!72
!28
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[JCT FC|JCT]]
|[[2005–06 National Football League (India)|2005–06]]
|rowspan="2"|National Football League
| rowspan="3" |48
|3||colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—
| rowspan="3" |48
|3
|-
|[[2006–07 National Football League (India)|2006–07]]
|11||colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—||11
|-
|[[2007–08 I-League|2007–08]]
|Rowspan="1"|[[I-League]]
|7||colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—||colspan="2"|— ||7
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!48!!21!!colspan="2" |—!!colspan="2" |—!!colspan="2"|—!!48!!21
|-
|[[SC East Bengal|East Bengal]]
|[[2008–09 East Bengal FC season|2008–09]]
|I-League
|17||9||4||2||colspan="2" |—||5{{efn|name=CFL|Appearance(s) in Calcutta Football League}}||2||26||13
|-
|[[Dempo SC|Dempo]]
|[[2009–10 I-League|2009–10]]
|I-League
|13||8||6||1||colspan="2" |—||5{{efn|name=GPL|Appearance(s) in [[Goa Professional League]]}}||4||24||13
|-
|[[Sporting Kansas City|Kansas City Wizards]]
|[[2010 Major League Soccer season|2010]]
|[[Major League Soccer]]
|0||0||1||0||colspan="2" |—||0||0||1||0
|-
|[[United SC|Chirag United]]
|[[2010–11 I-League|2010–11]]
|I-League
|7||7||0||0||colspan="2" |—||0||0||7||7
|-
|[[Mohun Bagan AC|Mohun Bagan]]
|[[2011–12 I-League|2011–12]]
|I-League
|14||6||2||1||colspan="2" |—||2{{efn|name=CFL}}||0||18||7
|-
|[[Sporting CP B]]
|[[2012–13 Segunda Liga|2012–13]]
|[[LigaPro]]
|3||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||0||0||3||0
|-
|[[Churchill Brothers FC Goa|Churchill Brothers]] (loan)
|[[2012–13 I-League|2012–13]]
|I-League
|8||4||0||0||5||2||4{{efn|name=GPL}}||2||17||8
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]
|[[2013–14 Bengaluru FC season|2013–14]]
|rowspan="2"|I-League
|23||14||3||1|| colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—||26||15
|-
|[[2014–15 Bengaluru FC season|2014–15]]
|20||2||9||9||6||3||colspan="2" |—||35||14
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!43!!16!!12!!10!!6!!3!!0!!0!!61!!29
|-
| rowspan="3"|[[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]]
|[[2015 Mumbai City FC season|2015]]
| rowspan="2"|[[Indian Super League]]
|11||7||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan="2" |—||11||7
|-
|[[2016 Mumbai City FC season|2016]]
|6||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—||6||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!17!!7!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!17
!7
|-
|Bengaluru (loan)
|[[2015–16 Bengaluru FC season|2015–16]]
|I-League
|14||5||2||1||4||3||colspan="2" |—||20||9
|-
| rowspan="10" |Bengaluru
|[[2016–17 Bengaluru FC season|2016–17]]
|I-League
|16||7||3||0||11||5||colspan="2" |—||30||12
|-
|[[2017–18 Bengaluru FC season|2017–18]]
| rowspan="8"|Indian Super League
|21||14||4||6||8||4||colspan="2" |—||33||24
|-
|[[2018–19 Bengaluru FC season|2018–19]]
|19||9||1||1||2||0||colspan="2" |—||22||10
|-
|[[2019–20 Bengaluru FC season|2019–20]]
|17||9|| colspan="2" |—||2||2|| colspan="2" |—||19||11
|-
|[[2020–21 Bengaluru FC season|2020–21]]
|20||8||colspan=2|—||1||1|| colspan="2" |—||21||9
|-
|[[2021–22 Bengaluru FC season|2021–22]]
|20||4||0||0||3||0|| colspan="2" |—||23||4
|-
|[[2022-23 Bengaluru FC season|2022–23]]
|21||5||12||5|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||33||10
|-
|[[2023-24 Bengaluru FC season|2023–24]]
|20||5||0||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||20||5
|-
|[[2024-25 Bengaluru FC season|2024–25]]
|28||14||5||3|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||33||17
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!196!!80!!27!!16!!31!!15!!0!!0!!254
!111
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!384!!168!!63!!33!!42!!20!!59!!23!!548!!246
|}
{{notelist}}

=== International ===
{{Main|List of international goals scored by Sunil Chhetri}}

{{updated|match played 10 June 2025}}<ref>{{NFT player|id=12944|name=Sunil Chhetri|access-date=31 December 2015}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan=21|[[India national football team|India]]  
|2005||5||1
|-
|2006||1||0
|-
|2007||7||6
|-
|2008||12||8
|-
|2009||6||1
|-
|2010||6||3
|-
|2011||18||13
|-
|2012||8||4
|-
|2013||11||5
|-
|2014||2||3
|-
|2015||12||6
|-
|2016||4||2
|-
|2017||6||5
|-
|2018||6||8
|-
|2019||11||7
|-
|2020||0||0
|-
|2021||10||8
|-
|2022||6||4
|-
|2023||14||9
|-
|2024||6||1
|-
|2025||4||1
|-
!colspan=2|Total!!155!!95
|}

== Honours ==
'''Dempo'''
* [[I-League]]: [[2009–10 I-League|2009–10]]

'''Churchill Brothers'''
* I-League: [[2012–13 I-League|2012–13]]

'''Bengaluru'''
* [[Indian Super League]]: [[2018–19 Indian Super League season|2018–19]]
* I-League: [[2013–14 I-League|2013–14]], [[2015–16 I-League|2015–16]]
* [[Federation Cup (India)|Federation Cup]]: [[2014–15 Indian Federation Cup|2014–15]], [[2016–17 Indian Federation Cup|2016–17]]
* [[Super Cup (India)|Super Cup]]: [[2018 Indian Super Cup|2018]]
* [[Durand Cup]]: [[2022 Durand Cup|2022]]
* [[AFC Cup]] runner-up: [[2016 AFC Cup|2016]]
* Puttaiah Memorial Cup: 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/bengaluru-fc-drub-asc-clinch-2231733|title=Bengaluru FC drub ASC to clinch Puttaiah Memorial|archive-date=24 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424051536/https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/bengaluru-fc-drub-asc-clinch-2231733|date=21 December 2014|agency=DHNS|access-date=26 November 2023|website=deccanherald.com|publisher=The Deccan Herald}}</ref>

'''India'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indian-football-down-the-years-looking-back-at-the-glorious-moments#|title=Indian Football Down the Years: Looking back at the glorious moments|first=AIFF|last=Media Team|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=[[All India Football Federation]]|language=en|trans-title=|location=New Delhi|agency=|date=15 August 2022|access-date=20 October 2022|archive-date=21 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921011335/https://www.the-aiff.com/article/indian-football-down-the-years-looking-back-at-the-glorious-moments}}</ref>
* [[AFC Challenge Cup]]: [[2008 AFC Challenge Cup|2008]]
* [[SAFF Championship]]: [[2011 SAFF Championship|2011]], [[2015 SAFF Championship|2015]], [[2021 SAFF Championship|2021]], [[2023 SAFF Championship|2023]]; runner-up: [[2008 SAFF Championship|2008]], [[2013 SAFF Championship|2013]] 
* [[Nehru Cup]]: [[2007 Nehru Cup|2007]], [[2009 Nehru Cup|2009]], [[2012 Nehru Cup|2012]]
* [[Intercontinental Cup (India)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[2018 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2018]], [[2023 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2023]]
* [[Tri-Nation Series (India)|Tri-Nation Series]]: [[2023 Tri-Nation Series (India)|2023]]

'''India U20'''
* [[Football at the South Asian Games|South Asian Games]] silver medal: [[Football at the 2004 South Asian Games|2004]]

'''Individual'''
[[File:The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting the Arjuna Award for the year-2011 to Shri Sunil Chhetri for Football, in a glittering ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on August 29, 2011.jpg|thumb|right|alt=|[[Pratibha Patil]], then-president of India, presenting the [[Arjuna Award]] to Chhetri in 2011.]]
* [[AIFF Player of the Year]] (7): 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018–19,<ref>{{cite web|last=Sportstar|first=Team|title=Sunil Chhetri and Ashalata Devi bag top honours at AIFF Awards|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football-aiff-awards-sunil-chhetri-ashalata-devi-dangmei-grace-sahad-abdul-samad-jammu-and-kashmir-football/article28332935.ece|date=9 July 2019|access-date=25 March 2022|website=sportstar.thehindu.com|publisher=[[Sportstar]]|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027045433/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football-aiff-awards-sunil-chhetri-ashalata-devi-dangmei-grace-sahad-abdul-samad-jammu-and-kashmir-football/article28332935.ece|language=en}}</ref> 2021–22<ref>{{cite news |title=Sunil Chhetri, Manisha Kalyan bag AIFF Footballer of the Year awards|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-manisha-kalyan-bags-aiff-footballer-of-the-year-award-1.7771016#:~:text=09%20August%202022%2C%2002%3A23%20PM%20IST&text=Sunil%20Chhetri%20bagged%20the%20All,by%20any%20player%20in%20history.|access-date=9 August 2022|website=english.mathrubhumi.com|publisher=Mathrubhumi Sports|location=[[Kozhikode]], Kerala|date=9 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809095258/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-manisha-kalyan-bags-aiff-footballer-of-the-year-award-1.7771016|archive-date=9 August 2022}}</ref>
* [[FPAI Indian Player of the Year]] (4): 2009, 2018, 2019, 2020
* [[SAFF Championship]] Player of the Tournament (4): [[2011 SAFF Championship|2011]], [[2015 SAFF Championship|2015]], [[2021 SAFF Championship|2021]], [[2023 SAFF Championship|2023]]
* [[SAFF Championship]] Top Scorer (3): [[2011 SAFF Championship|2011]], [[2021 SAFF Championship|2021]], [[2023 SAFF Championship|2023]]
* Hero of the [[Intercontinental Cup (India)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[2018 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2018]] 
* Hero of the [[I-League]]: [[2016–17 I-League|2016–17]]<ref>{{cite news|title=There was little competition for the 'Best Striker Award' as Aser Pierrick Dipanda Dicka of Shillong Lajong grabbed the award|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/chhetri-voted-best-player-of-i-league-117050201030_1.html|access-date=2 May 2017|work=Business Standard|date=2 May 2017|archive-date=25 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625021517/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/chhetri-voted-best-player-of-i-league-117050201030_1.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thefangarage.com/articles/10600-sunil-chhetri-wins-the-hero-of-the-league-award|title=Chhetri, Khalid, Dipanda among others win individual I-League awards|website=thefangarage.com|publisher=The Fan Garage|date=2 May 2017|access-date=2 May 2017|archive-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630214135/https://thefangarage.com/articles/10600-sunil-chhetri-wins-the-hero-of-the-league-award}}</ref>
* [[I-League Golden Boot]]: [[2013–14 I-League|2013–14]]
*[[Indian Super League Hero of the League|Hero of the Indian Super League]]: [[2017–18 Indian Super League season|2017–18]]
* [[2018 Indian Super Cup]]: Golden Boot
* [[Indian Sports Honours]]: Sportsman of the Year 2019 (team sports)
* Football Ratna Award (first recipient) by [[Football Delhi]]: 18 February 2019<ref>{{cite web |title=FOOTBALL RATNA' AWARD FOR SUNIL CHHETRI |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9478 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=19 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219191744/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9478 |archive-date=19 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''[[The Times of India]]'' TOISA Best Footballer: 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toisa-2021-neeraj-chopra-headlines-the-list-of-winners/articleshow/94847901.cms|title=TOISA 2021: Neeraj Chopra headlines the list of winners|date=14 October 2021|access-date=26 October 2022|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|publisher=[[The Times of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026215006/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toisa-2021-neeraj-chopra-headlines-the-list-of-winners/articleshow/94847901.cms|archive-date=26 October 2022|location=New Delhi|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>
'''Other'''
*Leading up to the [[2022 FIFA World Cup|2022 World Cup]], [[FIFA]] honoured Chhetri on the occasion by releasing three documentary episodes about his life and career for becoming the third-highest male international goalscorer in the world among active players.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/en/news/indian-football-sunil-chhetri-captain-fantastic-series-fifa-honour|title=FIFA makes video series on Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri|access-date=5 February 2023|archive-date=30 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130060752/https://olympics.com/en/news/indian-football-sunil-chhetri-captain-fantastic-series-fifa-honour|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/fifa-pays-tribute-to-india-legend-sunil-chhetri-with-three-part-series-you-know-about-cristiano-ronaldo-and-lionel-messi-now-get-101664351223506.html#:~:text=FIFA%20shared%20a%20graphic%20of,tribute%20to%20the%20India%20captain.&text=Indian%20football%20team%20captain%20Sunil,active%20players%20in%20international%20matches.|title='You know about Ronaldo and Messi, now get...'|date=28 September 2022 |access-date=5 February 2023|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205152922/https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/football/fifa-pays-tribute-to-india-legend-sunil-chhetri-with-three-part-series-you-know-about-cristiano-ronaldo-and-lionel-messi-now-get-101664351223506.html#:~:text=FIFA%20shared%20a%20graphic%20of,tribute%20to%20the%20India%20captain.&text=Indian%20football%20team%20captain%20Sunil,active%20players%20in%20international%20matches.|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/fifa-honours-india-football-captain-sunil-chhetri-with-three-part-series-1.90908592|title=Fifa honours India football captain Sunil Chhetri with three-part series|date=28 September 2022 |access-date=5 February 2023|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205152924/https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/fifa-honours-india-football-captain-sunil-chhetri-with-three-part-series-1.90908592|url-status=live}}</ref>
* AFC Asian Icon: 3 August 2018
* [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]]: Favourite Player (voted by fans)
* [[AFC Cup]] All-time XI (The Strikers): Inductee (2021)<ref>[https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/afc-cup-all-time-best-xi-the-strikers AFC Cup All-time XI:The Strikers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327173645/https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/afc-cup-all-time-best-xi-the-strikers |date=27 March 2021 }} ''the-afc.com''. Retrieved 28 March 2021</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/sunil-chhetri-named-among-13-strikers-to-choose-all-time-best-three-in-afc-cup/articleshow/81723770.cms|title=Sunil Chhetri named among 13 strikers to choose all-time best three in AFC Cup|access-date=28 March 2021|website=The Times of India|date=27 March 2021 |archive-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704180728/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/sunil-chhetri-named-among-13-strikers-to-choose-all-time-best-three-in-afc-cup/articleshow/81723770.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Awards and accolades'''
[[File:The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 2021 to Shri Sunil Chhetri for Football, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on 13 November 2021.jpg|thumb|right|alt=The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, 2021 to Shri Sunil Chhetri for Football, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on 13 November 2021|[[Ram Nath Kovind]], then-president of India, presenting the [[Khel Ratna Award]] to Chhetri in 2021.]]
* [[List of Arjuna Award recipients (2010–2019)|2011]] − [[Arjuna Award]], by the Government of India in recognition of his outstanding achievement in sports.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arjuna Award an inspiration: Chhetri |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/arjuna-award-an-inspiration-chhetri/article2408978.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |date=29 August 2011 |access-date=27 June 2019 |archive-date=4 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704180728/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/arjuna-award-an-inspiration-chhetri/article2408978.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm#Football|title=LIST OF ARJUNA AWARD WINNERS – Football {{!}} Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225221945/http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm#Football|archive-date=25 December 2007|access-date=25 December 2007|website=yas.nic.in|publisher=Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=List of Arjuna Awardees (1961–2018)|url=https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/LIST%20OF%20ARJUNA%20AWARDEES.docx%2061%20-%2017_0_0.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (India)|access-date=12 September 2020|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718084523/https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/LIST%20OF%20ARJUNA%20AWARDEES.docx%2061%20-%2017_0_0.pdf}}</ref>
* [[List of Padma Shri award recipients (2010–2019)|2019]] − [[File:Padma Shri Ribbon.svg|50px]] [[Padma Shri]], the fourth-highest civilian honour of India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/260119/three-persons-from-telangana-andhra-pradesh-sunil-chhetri-get-padma.html|title=Three persons from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Sunil Chhetri get Padma Shri awards|last=Kumar|first=Coreena Suares, Suresh Kavirayani and K. Kalyan Krishna|date=26 January 2019|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en|access-date=26 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190126091705/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/260119/three-persons-from-telangana-andhra-pradesh-sunil-chhetri-get-padma.html|archive-date=26 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2021 – [[Khel Ratna Award]], the highest sporting honour of India.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|last2=|last3=|first3=|date=3 November 2021|title=Sunil Chhetri, football's first Khel Ratna awardee, says it has been a dream journey {{!}} Football News – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/sunil-chhetri-footballs-first-khel-ratna-awardee-says-it-has-been-a-dream-journey/articleshow/87510483.cms|url-status=live|access-date=3 November 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103142845/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/sunil-chhetri-footballs-first-khel-ratna-awardee-says-it-has-been-a-dream-journey/articleshow/87510483.cms}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2 November 2021|title=National Sports Awards 2021: Neeraj Chopra, Lovlina Borgohain, Mithali Raj Among 9 Others to Get Khel Ratna|url=https://www.news18.com/news/sports/national-sports-awards-2021-neeraj-chopra-lovlina-borgohain-mithali-raj-among-9-others-to-get-khel-ratna-4396067.html|access-date=2 November 2021|website=News18|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103164948/https://www.news18.com/news/sports/national-sports-awards-2021-neeraj-chopra-lovlina-borgohain-mithali-raj-among-9-others-to-get-khel-ratna-4396067.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Records==
===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Record
! Notes
! Ref
|-
| Most [[India national football team records and statistics|appearances]] for [[India national football team|India]]
| 155 matches
|
|-
| Most goals for India
| rowspan="3" | [[List of international goals scored by Sunil Chhetri|95 goals]]
| rowspan="3" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Most goals in International football |url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/most-goals-international-football-list-men-women |website=Olympics.com}}</ref>
|-
|[[List of top international men's football goalscorers by country|3rd highest active goalscorer in the world]]
|-
| 4th highest goalscorer in the world
|-
| [[List of hat-tricks of India national football team|Most hat-tricks for India]]
| 4 hat-tricks 
| <ref name="A look at Sunil Chhetri's record">{{Cite web |title=A look at Sunil Chhetri's record |url=https://aninews.in/gallery/a-look-at-sunil-chhetris-records-before-his-last-dance-in-international-football20240606125609/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=www.aninews.in |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| Highest goalscorer for India in AFC Competitions
| 19 goals
|
|}

===Club football===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Record
! Notes
! Ref
|-
| Most appearances by an Indian in [[AFC Cup]]
| 31 matches
| rowspan="2" | <ref name="A look at Sunil Chhetri's record"/>
|-
| Most goals scored by an Indian in [[AFC Cup]]
| 19 goals
|-
| Most goals in [[Indian Super League]]
| 75 goals
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Sunil Chhetri: The Indian goal machine in ISL |url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/indian-football-player-sunil-chhetri-isl-top-goal-scorer-indian-super-league |website=Olympics.com}}</ref>
|-
| Most [[List of Indian Super League hat-tricks|hat-tricks]] by an Indian in [[Indian Super League]]
| 3 hat-tricks
|
|-
|Most appearances for [[Bengaluru FC]]
|302 matches
|
|-
| Most [[AIFF Player of the Year Awards|AIFF Player of the Year Award]]
| 7 times
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-09 |title=Sunil Chhetri, Manisha Kalyan bag AIFF Footballer of the Year awards, sunil chhetri, Indian footballer of the year, manisha kalyan, AIFF best footballer Award, football news |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809095258/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/sports/football/sunil-chhetri-manisha-kalyan-bags-aiff-footballer-of-the-year-award-1.7771016 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal bar|Biography|Association football|India}}
* [[List of top international men's football goalscorers by country]]
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]
* [[List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals]]
* [[List of India national football team hat-tricks]]
* [[List of India national football team captains]]
* [[List of Indian football first tier top scorers]]
* [[List of India international footballers]]
* [[List of Indian expatriate footballers]]
* [[FPAI Indian Player of the Year]]
* [[AIFF Player of the Year]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|group=notes}}
{{reflist|group=lower-greek}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*{{FIFA player}}
*{{NFT player}}
*{{Soccerway}}
*{{ESPN FC}}
*{{WorldFootball}}
*{{MLS player}}
*[https://www.indiansuperleague.com/players/forward-19150-sunil-chhetri-profile Sunil Chhetri] at [[Indian Super League]]

{{Bengaluru FC squad}}
{{Navboxes
|title=India squads
|bg=#1C39BC
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|bordercolor=#FF8000
|list1=
{{India squad 2011 AFC Asian Cup}}
{{India squad 2019 AFC Asian Cup}}
{{India squad 2023 AFC Asian Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|bg=gold
|fg=navy
|list1=
{{Captains of Indian national sports teams}}
{{I-League Golden Boot}}
{{Indian Super League Hero of the League}}
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Sports}}
{{Khel Ratna Awardees}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chhetri, Sunil}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Secunderabad]]
[[Category:Footballers from Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Asutosh College alumni]]
[[Category:University of Calcutta alumni]]
[[Category:Indian men's footballers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian sportsmen]]
[[Category:India men's international footballers]]
[[Category:India men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Indian Gorkhas]]
[[Category:Dempo SC players]]
[[Category:Indian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States]]
[[Category:Indian expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal]]
[[Category:Indian expatriate sportspeople in Portugal]]
[[Category:Indian people of Nepalese descent]]
[[Category:Sporting Kansas City players]]
[[Category:East Bengal Club players]]
[[Category:2011 AFC Asian Cup players]]
[[Category:I-League players]]
[[Category:JCT FC players]]
[[Category:Mohun Bagan Super Giant players]]
[[Category:United SC players]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Arjuna Award]]
[[Category:Churchill Brothers FC Goa players]]
[[Category:Sporting CP B players]]
[[Category:Bengaluru FC players]]
[[Category:Mumbai City FC players]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2006 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2014 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:FIFA Men's Century Club]]
[[Category:2019 AFC Asian Cup players]]
[[Category:Asian Games footballers for India]]
[[Category:Khas people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Khel Ratna Award]]
[[Category:South Asian Games silver medalists for India]]
[[Category:South Asian Games medalists in football]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2022 Asian Games]]
[[Category:2023 AFC Asian Cup players]]