King's Cup | It’s weird, but I am in the best shape of my life right now, asserts Sunil Chhetri
AIFF
At the age of 34, Sunil Chhetri continues to push himself to improve as the seasoned forward revealed that he currently feels to be in the best shape of his life. Igor Stimac’s India will take on Curacao in their opening game of the upcoming King’s Cup which is scheduled to start on June 5.
Sunil Chhetri, who is popularly known as Captain Fantastic, is both the most-capped Indian player and all-time top goalscorer for the Indian national team, with 67 goals in 107 international appearances. The highly-respected Indian forward is central to new India coach Igor Stimac’s plans ahead of the upcoming King’s Cup which is scheduled to begin on June 5 in Thailand.
Chhetri, aged 34, is entering the twilight of his career with the national side but recently revealed that he still has lot more fire left in him and currently feels like he is in the best shape of his life.
“It may sound strange, but I am the fittest in my life at the moment. It’s a bit weird when I say this, but it’s true. I think the knowledge and discipline is the highest in my life right now, in terms of taking risk, in terms of having the right food, and in terms of training -- and that’s probably why I am this fit.
“I have never got a time where I can sit back and think about how much I have achieved. I am just happy that I am playing for my country, happy that I am training. What’s really good is that I am really enjoying now. I don’t take it too seriously. I don’t get carried away. Such moments won’t last for ever. I want to enjoy every bit of it,” Chhetri said as per the AIFF official site.
The Bengaluru FC forward helped India win the 2007 Nehru Cup, 2009 Nehru Cup, the 2012 Nehru Cup as well as the 2011 SAFF Championship. He has also been voted as AIFF’s player of the year on five occasions - 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2017.
“I never think about 100+ games, the number of goals I have scored. All of that is kept aside for talks after I retire.
“I feel proud when people around me keep reminding me that every record is in your name, and here we are talking about a country’s history. For someone who never even dreamt of playing for his country, or even of making it professionally, it’s unbelievable,” Chhetri added.
