Sunil Chhetri Joins the list of most goal scorers in FIFA

Indian football’s sensational star, a person dreaming of the Indian team’s appearance in FIFA, has outclassed Argentina’s global superstar footballer Lionel Messi and become the second-highest active international goal-scorer with securing 74 goals, adding another feather to his distinguished career.

Sunil Chhetri (36 years old) achieved this milestone with his excellent skills against Bangladesh in the joint preliminary qualifying round match for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup, held on Monday night.

The seasoned striker, who helped India register their first win in six years in World Cup qualifiers, now stands behind Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (103) in the active international goal-scorer list.

Sunil Chhetri overtakes Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and 3rd place holder, Ali Mabkhout of the UAE, who has 73 international goals to his name.

Messi scored his 72nd international goal in a World Cup qualifier against Chile last Thursday, while Mabkhout added to his tally against Malaysia.

The FIFA qualifier match between Indian and Bangladesh was held on Monday at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. As the game approached the 79th minute with each team scoring no goals, Sunil Chhetri’s strike helped India get a lead. Then, he also scored his 2nd one, a curling shot from long range, which was beautifully assisted by Ashique Kuruniyan, sealing the victory in the contest.

Chhetri, the India captain, is just a goal away from entering world football's all-time top-10. He ranks just behind Hungary's Sandor Kocsis, Japan's Kunishige Kamamoto, and Kuwait’s Bashar Abdullah, who have 75 goals each to their bags.

All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) president, Praful Patel, delighted by the team’s performance and captain fearlessly leading the team from the front, applauded Sunil Chhetri. His tweet, just after the match ends, "A big congratulations to Captain Fantastic & wishing him many more accolades in the future."

The AIFF boss also appreciated the team on the conclusive win that was achieved on Chhetri's brilliance. Congratulations #BlueTigers on a convincing win over Bangladesh & exceptional performance by skipper @chetrisunil11 who guided the team from the front & earned the victory. "Your hard work & determination was visible on the field. Wishing you all the very best in the upcoming game!"

Chhetri's twin strikes meant India registered their first win in what was turning out to be a forgettable World Cup qualifying campaign in many years. It was also India's first victory in World Cup qualifiers away from home in 20 years.

India is comfortably placed in the 3rd spot in Group E with six points from seven games with that win. India’s next game is a qualifier on June 15th, against Afghanistan, in UAE. The Indian side is already out of qualifying for World Cup 2022, but Men in Blue can surely make it to the Asia Cup in China.

Who would have thought that someone from India would compete with the records of the football legends like Ronaldo and Messi? So this is a proud moment for Indian football Fans, and every Indian should be proud of it.

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