India’s Sunil Chhetri levels Gerd Muller and Robbie Keane in terms of goals scored in international matches

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India might have lost their match against Curacao in the King’s Cup in Thailand but, Sunil Chhetri has achieved another milestone. Apart from usurping Bhaichung Bhutia as India’s most capped player in the match on Thursday, Chhetri also leveled West Germany’s Gerd Muller, Republic of Ireland’s Robbie Keane, and Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz in terms of the number of goals scored in international matches.

Sunil Chhetri is now level with two legends of the game in scoring goals in international matches
Sunil Chhetri is now level with two legends of the game in scoring goals in international matches

After converting the penalty in the 31st minute against Curacao, Chhetri increased his tally of goals scored in international matches to 68, which happened to be the same number as that of the aforementioned three legends.

Chhetri had already surpassed Argentina’s Lionel Messi mark in the Asian Cup 2019 encounter against Thailand. However, the Barcelona forward can overtake Chhetri in Copa America, which is set to begin from next Saturday.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo is the only active international player having scored more international goals than Chhetri. The Juventus talisman has 85 goals to his name, only 24 goals behind Iran’s legendary Ali Daei who has 109 goals to his name.

While Chhetri himself has said that he can’t be compared with the likes of Messi and Ronaldo in various media briefings, we as an Indian can take pride in it.