AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Sunil Chhetri, the general of many a battle fought in the last decade embossed his name on the elite list of World Football when he netted his 50th goal wearing the National Jersey.

The Delhi-lad who made his debut for the National Team on June 12, 2005 against arch-rival Pakistan is the first Indian footballer to get an entry to the elite 50-goal list which includes the legends of World Football Ferenc Puskas, Pele, Gerd Muller and current sensations akin to Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar.

"To see my name up on the list which includes who's who of World Football makes me immensely proud and motivates me to achieve more when we hit the ground next time,” Sunil commented when www.the-aiff.com caught up with him.

"I have never set up any target for me, just I tried to perform and deliver on the pitch according to our plans."

The magical moment came in the later stages of the nail-biting SAFF Suzuki Cup final against Afghanistan as India went on to secure a record seventh SAFF title.

Senior National Team coach Stephen Constantine has praised him whole-heartedly for his heroics time and again.

“Sunil is the talisman of this team. He is a wonderful Player. He has been scoring goals for last ten years. I keep teasing him, saying ‘your time is almost done,’ but he’s not having that. He says he has another 4-5 year in him,” the English eloquent coach lauded the 'Captain Marvel' for his gallant display against Puerto Rico.

As India go on to challenge others in the Asian Cup Qualifiers UAE 2019, Chhetri’s goal scoring prowess might give India an edge. Amen.