“A Little Jealous”: Sunil Chhetri Reflects on Historic Friendlies Against Brazil and Uruguay
NEW DELHI: Legendary Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri has expressed a poignant mix of nostalgia and pride regarding the upcoming high-profile international friendlies set to take place in Kolkata. As India prepares to host five-time world champions Brazil on October 3, followed by a clash with Uruguay on October 6, the nation’s former captain admitted that he feels a tinge of professional envy.
For the current generation of the Indian national team, these fixtures at the Salt Lake Stadium represent a rare, watershed moment—a chance to stand toe-to-toe with two of the most storied programs in South American football history.
“I feel a little jealous as a spectator,” Chhetri admitted in a conversation with the All India Football Federation (AIFF). “In my 24–26 years as a professional, and nearly 20 years with the national team, I never got an opportunity like this.”
A New Chapter for Young Talents
Having announced his retirement from international football last year, Chhetri has transitioned into the role of a passionate supporter. Despite being removed from the squad’s daily operations, he remains bullish about the potential of the current roster.
“This is their time,” Chhetri said. “There are so many talented youngsters in the team. Everyone gets their opportunity; just like I got mine 20 years ago.” He urged the squad to approach the matches with both determination and peak physical fitness, emphasizing the importance of making the most of such a rare spotlight.
Ruling Out a Comeback
The 42-year-old’s comments came on the sidelines of the Football Players’ Association of India’s Indian Football Awards 2026. When asked if the allure of playing against world-class opposition might entice him back onto the pitch, Chhetri laughed off the possibility with his characteristic humor.
“I just trained for 20 minutes. I’m around 42 now, I can barely run properly, and I’m struggling,” he joked. He further distanced himself from the complexities of squad selection, noting that as a former player now observing from the outside, he trusts the coaching staff to make the necessary tactical decisions. “The coach has to answer that. I’m just a fan now, watching like everyone else.”
Hope Amidst Rankings Slump
The upcoming matches arrive at a challenging juncture for Indian football. Currently ranked 138th in the FIFA rankings, the national side has faced significant scrutiny. Addressing the state of the game, Chhetri called for patience and collective accountability rather than assigning blame.
“The Indian football graph, for as many years as I’ve played, has always been like this,” he reflected. “We’re probably in a phase where things are not going very well because of what we’ve done with the national team and the league. But we all have to be hopeful.”
Chhetri, a figure synonymous with the sport’s growth in India, acknowledged that the players must share the burden of the team’s recent struggles. “Why has the ranking gone down? It’s because of the way we have played—the games that we should have won but lost,” he stated candidly. “As players, we take responsibility. I took it when I was there.”
Despite the current hurdles, the veteran remains optimistic about the future. “At the end of the day, it’s going to be fine. It takes time. Things might be a little bit ‘kharab’ (bad), but things are going to be fine.”
As the country prepares for these landmark Sunil Chhetri matches, the focus remains on the development of the youth and the hope that these high-stakes games will serve as a catalyst for a revival in Indian football.
