Indian captain Sunil Chhetri's two goals during the Intercontinental Cup final on Sunday have drawn him level with Lionel Messi and placed him next only to Crisriano Ronaldo on the list of active players with most number of international goals.
After striking a brace to help the Indian men's football team clinch Intercontinental Cup title, captain Sunil Chhetri offered a humble reaction to levelling Lionel Messi's interntional goal tally of 64.
Chhetri's two goals drew him level with Argentina's star striker Messi and placed him next only to Portugal's Crisriano Ronaldo on the list of active players with most number of international goals. "I don't take the comparison seriously. Messi is of different level. I'm just happy that I've scored 64 goals for my country," Chhetri was quoted as saying by ANI on Monday.
Chhetri came into the spotlight after posting a video on Twitter in which he appealed to fans to come watch the Indian team play in the stadium during the Intercontinental Cup. "I wasn't thinking anything. It was something that came in my mind. I am happy that people understood it and I was really happy to get such support," said Chhetri.
"Happy for everyone who was on pitch and off pitch. If we get support from people like we got in Mumbai, we'll give everything for India. It is really motivating when the stadium is jam-packed," he added.
Chhetri struck two sublime strikes in the seventh and the 29th minute, one off his right and the second off his left, to help India beat Kenya 2-0 at Mumbai Football Arena and lift the Intercontinental Cup on Sunday.
Speaking following the win, Chhetri said that his side have had tough 20 days, but their determination helped them to bounce back and come out victorious eventually. "Football is my life and I am living it. After 20 tough days, we won the tournament. We had tough time. We lost match against New Zealand but we came back and seal the victory. All of us have the determination for the game and for the country," Chhetri said.
Chhetri was impressive throughout the prestigious tournament, having notched up eight goals-- including a hat-trick against Chinese Taipei. He smashed two goals against Kenya during his 100th international match, while his one goal came against New Zealand in the last Intercontinental Cup game.
(Inputs from ANI)
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 "Sunil Chhetri during the Intercontinental Cup 2018")
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