From modest beginnings to becoming the face of Indian football, Sunil Chhetri, one of the country’s most famous football players, has experienced it all. His journey, which started in 2002 at Mohun Bagan, is evidence of his perseverance, commitment, and the sacrifices he took to get to the top of the sport. Chhetri talked candidly about his childhood financial hardships, the intense drive that drove his career, and the realities of being a football star in an exclusive interview with ANI. Chhetri did not mince words when he was questioned about his original reasons for playing football.
He told ANI in an exclusive interview, “Oh, it was always money, friend,” quite honestly.
In the beginning of his career, Chhetri was motivated by money.
Money ceased to exist seven, eight, or nine years ago. If not, money came first,” he said.
As he described his financial history, Chhetri recalled how his father, an army veteran, toiled diligently to provide for the family.
“We had enough of that family when we left. However, he would go and bring sugar from that residence on the 25th. Ask for some flour now. The opposite was also true. People used to travel there as well. They would want wheat, milk, and sugar,” he revealed.
Chhetri’s family didn’t have the luxury of excess, even if they had enough to survive.
We were unable to leave the lane for a short distance. You couldn’t claim that I need new clothing or a nice outfit. “You couldn’t,” he remarked, recalling his modest background. Chhetri’s goals were influenced by this budgetary limitation.
“I thus desired to earn money when I grew up. For the first time, I earned more money than my father,” he said.
When Chhetri got his first large salary, it was a game-changer.
“I still recall receiving a $60,000 check four months later. I have yet to experience that emotion. Fortunately, I’ve earned a respectable sum of money, yet the sensation… He expressed his enthusiasm by saying, “I got the check, and at that time, to all the new kids, I had to go to the bank, take the passbook, withdraw the money, and then bring it home.”
“That day, I was ecstatic. With 30,000, I felt I could buy the world,” he chuckled.
On the other hand, Chhetri’s father saw money differently.
“When I received the check, Dad wasn’t present. I was in Calcutta, and he was in Delhi. He visited a few months later and gave me a good motivational speech about money and saving. which I hadn’t listened to for a year or two,” Chhetri smiled as she acknowledged.
Having been raised as the son of a soldier, Chhetri was disciplined from a young age. Because of his father’s rigorous schedule of getting up at 5:30 am, discipline was never a topic of conversation in the Chhetri home.
“Dad used to get up at five thirty. Dad had the bad/good habit of waking up and rushing away, so he didn’t need to remind me to get up at 5:30.
“We all used to get up at 5:30-6:00 because dad had to go to office, and we had to go to school,” he stated.
Despite the importance of discipline, domestic life was modest. “The house does not have a pantry. You can’t tell me where my chocolate, pantry, or this and that are. None existed. You eat breakfast, lunch, and supper every day. That’s all. You might go out and eat something special once in a while, but that’s about it. He recalled the simplicity of his early years and remarked, “You’re not allowed, and I’m not trying to say that things were better then and not now.”
Chhetri also talked about the difficulties wealthy kids have when they want to play professional sports. In his own words, “In my sport, the rate of kids coming and making it big from an affluent background is rare.” He was contrasting his own experiences to those of today’s fortunate children.
He went on to clarify why this was the case: “If my son goes for training in a Range Rover, asks the driver to set the temperature to 18 degrees, drinks a protein shake, and takes a nap on the way — when he reaches the ground and the coach abuses him or he gets hit by an elbow, it will affect him more because it’s a new experience for him.”
Chhetri made a comparison between this and his own early playing days. “You used to take two shots from the conductor in the DTC bus when we went for training. It was typical. It’s standard; the coach offers you two shots when you get there. It’s normal, you’re back home,” he added, “you eat in the dirt, you eat this and that.” “We didn’t have the comfort that kids from affluent families have today.”
He described how this lifestyle disparity makes underprivileged children more hungry and desirous. “This is the only thing that can save him,” the other child thinks as he falls to the ground. Since he is aware that this is the only way to change, he aspires to be a major player.
Chhetri made a comparison between this and his own early playing days. “You used to take two shots from the conductor in the DTC bus when we went for training. It was typical. It’s standard; the coach offers you two shots when you get there. It’s normal, you’re back home,” he added, “you eat in the dirt, you eat this and that.” “We didn’t have the comfort that kids from affluent families have today.”
He described how this lifestyle disparity makes underprivileged children more hungry and desirous. “This is the only thing that can save him,” the other child thinks as he falls to the ground. Since he is aware that this is the only way to change, he aspires to be a major player.
“How would the child from a wealthy family’s life alter, though? He already has automobiles and a large home. “Being born there isn’t his fault,” he said.
According to Chhetri, kids from underprivileged homes frequently have a stronger desire to excel in athletics as they view it as their only means of escape.
As a result, he is aware of the extent of his abuse, the falsehoods he has said, and the circumstances leading up to his demise. He is aware that there is no other option. He said, “That hunger is much higher.”
Chhetri’s observations about Indian football, especially with regard to scouting talent, highlight how crucial it is to identify talent in underserved communities.
“The number of children from less wealthy homes is enormous anywhere there are legitimate academies, even if it’s not a glamorous location. Additionally, it applies to all sports. It gets even more challenging whenever there is touch. For instance, when compared to chess. There is less contact. As a result, there won’t be a significant change. However, it gets challenging whenever a contact sport is played. Not that it’s impossible. challenging for children from wealthy families. He emphasized that children from tier 2 communities frequently have a strong ambition to achieve and said, “They are not accustomed to their lifestyle.”
Chhetri has had an absolutely amazing football career. With 94 goals in 150 international matches throughout his 19-year career, the Arjuna Award recipient is the most-capped Indian football player and the fourth-highest goal scorer in the world. He led India to many SAFF Championship championships, the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, and the Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009, and 2012. Among his accomplishments is his 2021 Khel Ratna Award victory, India’s greatest athletic accolade.
Chhetri’s path from financial hardship to football superstar status is a tale of willpower, self-control, and a desire for achievement. His observations provide insightful information on the difficulties experienced by Indian sportsmen and the value of tenacity regardless of one’s upbringing.
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