Not just the goals, Sunil Chhetri's leadership on the pitch is special too, states Igor Stimac

With the goal in the final, Sunil Chhetri has now equaled Lionel Messi for the joint second-highest active goal scorer in International football. The Indian also ended up as the top-scorer in the SAFF Cup and also won the best player award. However, for head coach Igor Stimac, despite his goal-scoring prowess, Sunil Chhetri’s leadership skills on the pitch stands out from the rest.

“It’s not just the goals he scores, but it’s his leadership on the pitch that is special. He is a role model, and he is the most passionate one in the dressing room. At this age, that’s quite unbelievable. His fitness is unbelievable and we wait for someone to step forward together with a better fitness condition, and with a better scoring ability to replace him,” said Igor Stimac, as reported by AIFF.com.

“I look at him as the best player. I never look at the age of players. If I was looking at the age of players, I would never put an 18-year old to play for the National Team. Age is not important for me, it’s just what they do on the pitch is important for me,” he added.