Sunil Chhetri is an Indian footballer who plays as a forward for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League and captains the India national team. He is the top scorer in ISL history, known for his goal-scoring skills, link-up play, and leadership.
Sunil Chhetri was born on August 3, 1984, in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India to K.B. Chhetri, an officer in the Indian Army, and Sushila Chhetri. His father was also a football player for the Indian Army team, and his mother and her twin sisters played for the Nepal national football team. Sunil has one sister, Bandana Chhetri.
Sunil Chhetri is an Indian footballer, but he has strong Nepali roots. His grandparents, mother, and father's family are from Nepal, and he has relatives in places like Jhapa, Kathmandu, and Pokhara. The surname "Chhetri" is common in Nepal, which highlights his Nepali heritage. While he represents India in football, many Nepali fans consider him special due to his family background.
Sunil Chhetri was raised in a football-loving family and was exposed to the sport from a young age. Due to his father’s frequent transfers, he attended Bahai School in Gangtok and Army Public School in New Delhi. Sunil began playing football in 2001 with City Football Club and launched his professional career in 2002 with Mohun Bagan.
Sunil Chhetri has played for several clubs throughout his career. After Mohun Bagan, he moved to JCT, East Bengal, and Dempo, where he helped the team win the 2009-10 I-League. He went on to have stints with Sporting CP B in Portugal, Kansas City Wizards in the United States and returned to India, where he joined Bengaluru FC in 2013. At Bengaluru FC, he became the club's all-time top scorer, leading them to multiple I-League titles and the 2018-19 Indian Super League title.
Chhetri made his international debut for India on August 12, 2005, and has since become the most-capped player and top scorer for the Indian national team, with over 110 caps and more than 70 goals. He helped India win various titles, including the Nehru Cup, the SAFF Championship, and the AFC Challenge Cup. He is also the second-highest active international goal scorer, after Cristiano Ronaldo. Chhetri’s contributions have earned him the AIFF Player of the Year award six times and various other individual honors.
Sunil Chhetri has won multiple league titles, including the I-League with Bengaluru FC, Dempo, and Churchill Brothers. He has helped India win the Nehru Cup, SAFF Championship, and Intercontinental Cup. Individually, he has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Padma Shri in 2019 and the Arjuna Award in 2011. He has also won the FPAI Indian Player of the Year twice and the AFC Challenge Cup Most Valuable Player award in 2008.
In June 2024, Chhetri announced his retirement from all forms of international football after playing his last match for India against Kuwait. However, in March 2025, he came out of international retirement to help the national team in crucial matches.
Sunil Chhetri is married to Sonam Bhattacharya, the daughter of former footballer Subrata Bhattacharya. The couple got married on December 4, 2017. Sonam is an independent woman who runs two hotels in Kolkata. They welcomed their first child, Dhruv, on August 31, 2023.
Sunil Chhetri's net worth is ₹55 crores. As a star footballer for both India and Bengaluru FC, his earnings come from his football salary, endorsements, and more. He earns between ₹80 lakh – ₹1 crore per month from Bengaluru FC and also receives income from leading the Indian National Football Team.
Chhetri has endorsement deals with brands like Puma, Twelfth Man, and KIA Motors.
Chhetri’s car collection includes a Toyota Fortuner, Kia Seltos, Mahindra Scorpio, and Audi A6. He lives in a luxurious home in North Bengaluru, worth ₹2.5 crore, where he enjoys time with his wife, Sonam. The house features a Mediterranean-style deck and a stylish master bedroom with natural light and a glass walk-in closet.