Indian Football Legend Sunil Chhetri announced that he will retire from International Football after the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026 match against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6. He has scored the most goals in his career after Ronaldo and Messi. Till now he has scored 94 goals and played 150 matches for the country. The long-serving national team captain announced his decision via a video he posted on his social media accounts. So, it's time we look at Sunil Chhetri's special moments in his career.

Read Also: Sunil Chhetri to play his last match for India against Kuwait in June

Special Moments in Sunil Chhetri's International Career

2005 - Senior India debut

Chhetri made his senior India debut against Pakistan on 12 June 2005 in Quetta and scored his maiden goal. Chhetri was a surprise inclusion for technical director Sukhwinder Singh on his maiden trip with the senior team. Chhetri proved his worth and selection with a goal. However, Pakistan scored and drew the game.

2007 Nehru Cup Triumph

Sunil Chhetri lifted his maiden International title by winning the 2007 Nehru Cup with India. India faced Syria in the Final and won the game by a narrow 1-0 margin. Syria were the favourites but the Blue Tigers were seeking revenge for their early 2-3 loss in the group stage. Chhetri scored in that game, playing alongside Bhaichung Bhutia but lost it. However, it was a huge achievement for India as it was their first Nehru Cup title.

2008 - Hattrick against Tajikistan in the AFC Challenge Cup Final

Chhetri and Bhutia helped India demolish Tajikistan in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup Final. Chhetri completed his hat trick in the 75th minute and took India back to the Asian Cup for the first time since 1984. It was a special moment for the Indian players and fans. For Chhetri, it surely is one of the biggest achievements of his career, scoring a hat trick in the Final of the Challenge Cup.

2011 SAFF Championship Victory

Chhetri contributed to India’s victorious 2011 SAFF Championship campaign with his seven goals. It was the 9th tournament of the SAFF Championship, which was held in New Delhi, India. The Blue Tigers dominated the campaign completely and ended up winning their sixth SAFF Championship title. Sunil Chhetri was awarded the Player of the Tournament Award as he was the top scorer in the competition.

2012 Nehru Cup Triumph

Chhetri topped the goal-scorers chart with four goals to his name, helping India win the 2012 Nehru Cup. India were the two-time defending champions of the Nehru Cup before coming into this campaign. The Blue Tigers faced Cameroon in the Final. They weren't at full strength as only five of their starters from the final would go on to make more regular places in the full side, but they were good. India were trailing 2-1 on 54 minutes, but Chhetri brought India back in the game by scoring a late equalizer. Ultimately, India won the match and title in a shootout (5-4).

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2017 - 13-match unbeaten run & Qualification for the Asian Cup

The Indian national team registered a record 13-match unbeaten run and qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, the biggest continental tournament, by topping their play-off round group with two games to spare under the leadership of Sunil Chhetri. India registered four victories in as many games at the Asian Cup qualifiers to book their ticket to the UAE. Captain Chhetri top-scored for the team with four goals in five games. It was India's fourth Asian Cup participation, after 1964, 1984, and 2011.

2018 - Hattrick against Chinese Taipei in the Intercontinental Cup and 100th appearance

In the 2018 Intercontinental Cup, Chhetri was the best player of the tournament as the Indian forward scored eight goals. This includes a brilliant hat trick against Chinese Taipei in the first game of the tournament. Chhetri scored twice in the first half and then added another one in the second to complete the hat trick as India beat Chinese Taipei by a 5-0 scoreline.

Chhetri made his 100th appearance for the Blue Tigers in the next match against Kenya and helped his side earn a 3-0 comfortable victory. He opened the scoring with a second-half penalty and then set Jeje up for the second. He scored the brace in the additional minutes to complete the demolition of Kenya.

2019 - Brace against Thailand in the Asian Cup

India's campaign at the 2019 Asian Cup couldn't have gotten off to a better start. Chhetri started it all with a quickly taken throw, from which Ashique Kuruniyan earned a penalty, which Chhetri converted. Though Thailand would equalize before halftime, the second half belonged to an energetic India. Chhetri characterized that energy, scoring one of three peerless Indian goals in 45 minutes that made the world sit up and take notice.

2021 - Becomes joint 6th highest scorer of all time

On 13 October 2021, he scored twice again in a 3–1 win over Maldives in the 2021 SAFF Championship, making him the joint-sixth all-time international goal scorer at that time, and the third-highest active international goal scorer in football, behind only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

2022 - Qualification for the Asian Cup

Since the AFC Asian Cup was founded in 1956, India has qualified for five Asian Cups, in 1964, 1984, 2011, 2019, and 2023. The Blue Tigers qualified for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 even before the opening whistle of their final third-round qualifier match against Hong Kong. The third round was their final chance to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2023. 

It saw 24 teams fight for the 11 remaining spots. The sides were divided into six groups of four teams each with the eventual six group winners and five best runner-ups qualifying for next year’s Asian Cup. Drawn in Group D, India beat Cambodia 2-0 in the opening match and earned a hard-fought 2-1 over Afghanistan in their second outing. 

Ahead of their final game against group toppers Hong Kong, Chhetri, and Co. were placed 2nd in Group D. Hong Kong were above India based on goal difference. India were already assured at least a second-place finish in Group D even before the Hong Kong match began. However, Palestine beat the Philippines 4-0 in Group B, which set the second-placed team to finish with just four points. India already had six so they qualified irrespective of their result against Hong Kong. 

2023 - Becomes second highest Asian goal scorer of all time

Captain Sunil Chhetri scored a hat-trick in India's thumping 4-0 win over Pakistan in their opening Group A match of the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru. In the process, Chhetri became the second-highest goal-scorer in Asia and fourth-highest in International Football. Chhetri's three goals took his tally to a total of 90 goals from 138 matches just behind former Iran footballer Ali Daei who has 109 goals in 148 matches.

The Indian captain surpassed Mokhtar Dahari of Malaysia (with 89 goals) to climb to the fourth spot among the highest goal-scorers in international football. Argentina legend Lionel Messi (103 goals), Iran's retired player Ali Daei (109 goals), and legendary Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo (123) are only ahead of Chhetri in the goal-scoring list.

2024 - 150th appearance for India

Chhetri made his 150th appearance for India and scored on the occasion against Afghanistan in Guwahati. However, the Blue Tigers lost that game 1-2. Chhetri extended his goal tally to 94 goals in international football by drawing first blood for the hosts. With the goal, Chhetri also extended his unique record of scoring for India in his first, 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, 125th, and 150th games. He is currently the third-highest active goalscorer in the International Football.

The Durand Cup was first held in Shimla which was a popular retreat for the British back in the day. Sir Henry Durand was recovering from an illness in the hill station and realised the importance of physical health for soldiers in the Army.

There were several army regiments and military units that were originally involved in the tournament and it became an inter-regiment tournament essentially.

They were initially only inclined towards playing Hockey given the popularity of the sport in India at that time but football gradually picked up.

FT| #NEUFC 6-1 #DHFC

A dominating performance by #NEUFC from start to finish as the defending champions successfully retain the title.

A statement win! History Created!#NEUFCDHFC #FINAL #134thEditionofIndianOilDurandCup #PoweredBySBIandCoalIndia #DurandCup2025… pic.twitter.com/IQbAnW5tdq

— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 23, 2025

The event itself was a major deal and people came from all across the country to watch the final which was a highly publicised event. It was also a great platform for Indian football clubs to defeat the British regiments which of course, rarely happened at that time.

However, events post World War II that also involved the cancellation and relocation of the tournament ushered a new era for Indian football.

The Durand Cup was later shifted to Delhi post 1940 and opened for civilian clubs and teams. This brought in the likes of Mohammedan, Salgaocar, East Bengal and all the other legendary I-League teams that have since dominated the proceedings.

It is now held under the Durand Football Tournament Society and has been the continuously held every year to attract top Indian teams and players from leagues such as the ISL, I-league and even Armed forces football teams.

The inclusion of ISL and Armed forces teams has helped expand the reach of the tournament.

Take a look at some of the winners and runner-ups of Durand Cup, one of the most popular football tournaments in India. Durand Cup has been a success for many years with all the details about the show since 2000.

Read More: https://sportzpoint.com/football/premier-league-stats-man-city-players-leading-all-charts-in-goals-assists-passes-and-clean-sheets/

Most Durand Cup Wins:

Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are the most successful teams in the history of the tournament winning it a record 17 and 16 times respectively.

Royal Scouts Fusiliers were the first-ever winners and Mohammedan Sporting were the first Indian to win the competition. Bengaluru Fc are the reigning champions.

For more Durand Cup news and articles, follow Sportz Point.

Cristiano Ronaldo might be playing in Saudi Arabia these days, but he's still racking up records in Portuguese colours. Among male footballers, Ronaldo holds the record for most international goals of all time, as part of his enduring pursuit of titles and records. The 40-year-old also has most international appearances in the history of men's football after playing his 200th game for Portugal in June 2023. 

In this article, we'll look at the active football players with the most international goals.

Also Read: Messi vs Ronaldo: Who has scored the most non-penalty goals?

Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

10. Edin Dzeko | 68 goals

Edin Dzeko is one of the most underrated strikers of his generation. The Inter Milan marksman is 39 years old but is still going strong. He has won the 'Bosnian Footballer of the Year' award three successive times in his career.

Dzeko has been quite prolific for his national team. He has scored 68 goals and provided 21 assists in his international career so far.

9. Harry Kane | 73 goals

Captain Harry Kane became the first player to score two goals on his 100th appearance for England. The striker scored his 67th and 68th international goals in the second half of the Nations League at Wembley over Finland, thundering an excellent strike in off the underside of the bar, then curling in a neat finish.

He also became just the third player to score on his 100th England appearance, after Wayne Rooney (versus Slovenia in 2014) and Bobby Charlton (against Northern Ireland in 1970).

Before kick-off, Kane was presented with a golden cap to mark the achievement, and also wore golden boots during the match.

8. Luis Suarez | 69 goals

Uruguay international Luis Suarez has had an illustrious career. He won the European Golden Shoe twice in the last decade and is widely regarded as one of the best centre-forwards of the 21st century.

Suarez, who recently led Uruguay to World Cup qualification, has scored 68 goals in his international career.

7. Neymar | 79 goals

Neymar Jr. is one of the most talented footballers we have seen in the 21st century. He is a joy to watch on the football pitch and is capable of producing moments of magic on a regular basis.

Neymar is one of the most innovative forwards of the modern era. He has been absolutely phenomenal for Brazil and is now surpassed Pele's goalscoring record for Brazil (77). Neymar has scored 79 goals and for the Brazilian national team so far in his career.

6. Robert Lewandowski | 85 goals

Robert Lewandowski is currently the most prolific goalscorer in Europe's top five leagues. The Bayern Munich striker has played some of the best football of his career in recent seasons.

Lewandowski has been a cut above the rest of his national teammates throughout his career. He has been a standout performer for Poland in recent years. The 36-year-old has scored 85 goals for Poland in international football.

Also Read: Top 12 players with most hat-tricks in football in the 21st century

5. Ali Mabkhout | 85 goals

Al Jazira and UAE legend Ali Mabkhout is a clinical finisher and as well as being one of his club's best scorers. However, he is also the United Arab Emirates' top international scorer of all time. He has a total of 85 international goals to his name. 

During the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals, Mabkhout netted the only goal in a 1–0 victory over defending champions Australia, which helped his country qualify for the semi-finals. Mabkhout scored a hat-trick against Indonesia in a 5–0 win in 2019 to become UAE's all-time leading goalscorer.

4. Romelu Lukaku | 89 goals

Romelu Lukaku has been a beast in attack for Belgium's golden generation. He has consistently produced the goods for his star-studded national team and continues to do so.

Lukaku's form at club level may have fluctuated but he has maintained high standards in international football. The 32-year-old has scored 89 goals in his international career so far.

3. Sunil Chhetri | 95 goals

Sunil Chhetri is regarded as one of the best football players India has ever produced. In a career spanning over two decades, the centre-forward has won many individual as well as team accolades.

With 95 goals to his name in 154 international appearances, Chhetri is the third highest goal-scorer in international matches, only behind Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi of Argentina.

Also Read: Every Indian Team Football Coach Since 1948

Since Sunil Chhetri’s first senior professional goal for Mohun Bagan in the National Football League season (2002-03), the Indian football great has notched up many goal-scoring feats for both club and country.

2. Lionel Messi | 112 goals 

Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers, has had a remarkable international career with Argentina. Messi, with 112 international goals, ranks second on the all-time top goal-scorers list, trailing only Ronaldo. Since his debut in 2005, Messi has earned 189 caps, leading Argentina to victories in the Copa America and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi can still catch Ronaldo for the record, if he plays on through to the 2026 World Cup and perhaps beyond.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo | 138 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the world record for international goals, scoring 138 for Portugal since making his debut in 2003. He is also the all-time leading appearance-maker in men's international football, having played 221 games, eclipsing the previous record of 196 held by Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa against Liechtenstein on 23 March 2023, and marking the occasion with two goals. He has hit ten international hat-tricks, a record he shares with Lionel Messi.

Also Read: Every Manchester United records that may never be broken

Ronaldo broke the world record for international goals when he scored twice against the Republic of Ireland in Portugal's European Qualifier in Faro-Loulé on 1 September 2021, aged 36. He surpassed the existing world-record mark set by former Iran forward Ali Daei, the first man to claim a century of international goals. Lionel Messi joined the elite group on 28 March 2023.

East Bengal is one of Asia's biggest and most supported football clubs. In October 2020, the club was voted as the most popular football club in India on an AFC poll by its supporters.

The East Bengal Club was established on 1st August 1920 by Suresh Chandra Chaudhury along with some other dignitaries, and the club's first captain was Ramesh Chandra Sen.

The Kolkata-based club has created a lot of records and won so many trophies. The Football club was going through a tough phase as they hadn't won a major trophy since the 2013-14 season.

But, under the new Manager and coaching staff, the Red & Gold Brigade are playing good football. So, let's look at the trophies East Bengal has won in its footballing history.

East Bengal FC Trophies List

East Bengal played their first match in the 1920 Hercules Cup, which was a 7-a-side tournament that they won. They won their first-ever full tournament in 1921 and lifted the Khogendra Shield.

The Red and Gold brigade qualified for the Calcutta Football League 1st division in 1925. They won their first 1st title in 1942. Then the Kolkata-based club lifted their first IFA Shield in 1943. In 1945, East Bengal won their first double, claiming both the Calcutta Football League and the IFA Shield.

From 1949-51, East Bengal became the first team to make a hat-trick of wins in the IFA Shield. In 1972, East Bengal won the Calcutta Football League, IFA Shield, Durand Cup, and Rovers Cup in a single season, becoming the first team to do so.

In 1972, East Bengal also made a record of being the first and till date, only Indian team to win the Calcutta Football League without conceding a single goal, which they again repeated in 1991.

East Bengal won its first First Division league title in 1942 and has since won it a record 39 times. They have also won eight Federation Cups, three Super Cups, a record 29 IFA Shields, the Kuladakanta Shield, and MLA CUP, alongside 16 Durand Cup titles, making the club one of the most decorated in Indian football.

Khalid Jamil has been named as the new head coach of the Indian Men's Senior Football team, as AIFF chose him over Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic from the final list. With Jamil becoming the new boss of the Blue Tigers, we present you with the stats and history of his career as a football manager so far.

Read Also: Football facts: Five managers who have coached Club and country at the same time

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐁𝐎𝐒𝐒 🇮🇳

Khalid Jamil has been named the new head coach of the Indian Men's Senior Football team.

Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic were the other finalised names, but AIFF have gone for the Jamshedpur FC coach.#AIFF #IndianFootball #KhalidJamil pic.twitter.com/KrnxkQUB6F

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) August 1, 2025

Khalid Jamil stats as manager

Since retiring as a professional footballer, Jamil started his managerial career with Mumbai FC in 2009. Jamil went on to coach them for 7 years until he joined Aizawl FC in December 2016. It was with Aizawl FC where his career took a turn after leading them to a miraculous I-League title in the 2016/17 season.

After the I-League success, Khalid coached two Kolkata giants, first East Bengal in the 2017-18 season and then ATK Mohun Bagan (which is now Mohun Bagan Super Giant) in the next season.

Read Also: Every Indian Team Football Coach Since 1948

However, Khalid did not get that much success with those two Kolkata clubs, and he joined Northeast United FC as the academy head in 2019. From 2019-22, Jamil served as Assistant manager, caretaker manager and then head coach of NEUFC. After that, he spent one season with Bengaluru United.

Finally, in 2023, he arrived at Jamshedpur FC, where he showed his class as the head coach and uplifted a few young Indian talents as well. Last season under him, Jamshedpur FC reached the semi-finals of the Indian Super League as well, and Khalid became the first Indian coach to achieve that feat.

His experince and understanding of Indian football is supposed to be a ground-breaking factor for the upcoming few months of Indian football.

Data by transfermarkt. 

Indian football team winger Liston Colaco scored a stunning free-kick, including a brace, to help Mohun Bagan Super Giant kick off their Durand Cup 2025 journey with a 3-1 win over Mohammedan Sporting Club ar VYBK on Thursday.

Liston's Goalzo

Coincidentally, Liston had also scored a stunning free-kick goal during the practice game between Mohun Bagan senior and Mohun Bagan junior ahead of the season opener. Just in the 21st minute of the match, Liston himself earned a free-kick after being fouled by a trio of Mohammedan defenders at the edge of the box.

Liston took the charge into his hand, in fact, on his feet as he lined up to take the free-kick, the Cristiano-way. Liston took a deep breath and then decided to go over the wall of defenders to beat Subhajit Bhattacharjee in the goal and hit the back of the net.

Beautiful free Kick from Liston Colaco pic.twitter.com/nbi6XQNhSx

— Hari (@Harii33) July 31, 2025

Read Also: East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan: Head to Head Stats [UPDATED]

What happened in the match?

After Liston's goal in the 23rd minute, Mohun Bagan faced a setback at the stroke of the half-time mark. Aupia Ralte received a red card for dissent after he was tackled by Mohammedan in the 43rd minute of the match.

Mohammedan took advantage of Mohun Bagan's one-man less defence as Ahsley Koli scored in the 50th minute to make everything level again. But Mohun Bagan, the champions of the Indian Super League, had tricks up their sleeves as Suhail Ahmed Bhat scored in the 63rd minute to restore their lead. Liston provided the assist for the Kashmiri striker.

In the dying minute of the match, Liston earned the penalty and turned it into a goal from the spot to make a near-perfect match for him and Mohun Bagan SG.

Mohammedan have now lost both of their Group B match of the Durand Cup 2025.