Chhetri India’s highest goal scorer and most-capped player,with 67 goals in 105 official international matches
Sunil Chhetri stood up to the occasion as he scored from the spot in the 27th minute to give India the lead against Thailand in their opener of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The striker overtook Argentine superstar Lionel Messi (65) to become the second-highest international goal scorer among the active players. Chhetri achieved this feat while playing his 104th match. However, the Indian talisman’s opening goal of the match was cut short by an equalizer from Teerasil Dangda in the 33rd minute. As a result of the equalizer, both the teams headed into the tunnel at half-time all-square.
AFC Asian Cup also took note of Chhetri’s achievement and said, “Sunil Chhetri scores his 66th with India to overtake Lionel Messi becoming the active player with the 2nd most international goals.”
8⃣5⃣ @Cristiano 🇵🇹
6⃣6⃣ @chetrisunil11 🇮🇳
6⃣5⃣ @TeamMessi 🇦🇷Sunil Chhetri scores his 66th with India to overtake Lionel Messi becoming the active player with the 2nd most international goals 👏 pic.twitter.com/4EaDP8IeqK
— #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 6, 2019
The India captain bagged a double in the 4-1 Asian Cup win over Thailand and is now the second highest-active international goalscorer and celebration took place as usual though this time it was with pride
Nothing beats postmatch celebrations with the fans 👏🇮🇳! #AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/JFbAxuHKTS
— #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 6, 2019
There were many others to acknowledge this landmark
Two more goals today takes @chetrisunil11 past Messi 😱🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/dq7qOxOQis
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 6, 2019
The NEW second highest (active) International goalscorer @chetrisunil11 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/8lLG1XrIAv
— #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 6, 2019
