Sunil Chhetri Shares Memorable Encounter with Lionel Messi Amid Injury Challenges

Chhetri's Journey to Meet Messi

Sunil Chhetri, the captain of the Indian football team, recently opened up about how an injury almost prevented him from meeting Lionel Messi during the Argentine superstar's GOAT Tour in Mumbai. Despite facing physical challenges, Chhetri's enthusiasm as a fan ultimately led him to seize the opportunity to connect with Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Luis Suarez.

Messi's tour included stops at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium and Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on December 13, followed by a grand event at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on December 14. Chhetri was present at the Mumbai gathering, where he engaged in conversation with Messi and received a signed Argentina jersey from the World Cup champion.

Overcoming Obstacles for a Fan Moment

Reflecting on the experience via Instagram, Chhetri shared that his injury had limited his mobility and required frequent physiotherapy sessions. He nearly decided against attending the event but ultimately let his passion as a fan guide him. "I almost didn’t make the trip to Mumbai, until the fan in me rebelled and went anyway," he expressed. Meeting Messi was described by Chhetri as "exactly what I needed," highlighting the Argentine's artistry as a remedy for tough times.

Gratitude and Joy in Meeting Football Legends

Chhetri expressed his appreciation for the chance to personally thank Messi for his impact on football. He also relished the opportunity to meet fellow World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul and praised Luis Suarez as "arguably the most complete No.9 of our generation." He commended Mumbai for its warm reception, stating that the city made him feel cherished and valued.

Messi's Tour Concludes in Delhi

The tour wrapped up with Messi, Suarez, and De Paul visiting Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium on December 15, marking the end of their four-city journey across India.

Chhetri's Views on Messi vs. Ronaldo

In addition to the event, Chhetri has previously discussed the ongoing debate surrounding Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. In a 2024 interview, he acknowledged his admiration for Ronaldo's discipline and work ethic, while expressing a preference for watching Messi play. "Between these two? Ronaldo. I have learned and followed him a lot: the hard work bit, the being disciplined bit," he noted, adding that Messi's style is enchanting and hard to replicate.

Chhetri's Impressive Goal Record

Currently, Chhetri ranks fourth among all-time international goalscorers with 95 goals. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the list with 143 goals, followed by Lionel Messi with 115 and Ali Daei with 108. Chhetri's remarkable consistency has solidified his status among football's elite, making his reflections on meeting Messi particularly meaningful for fans in India and beyond.