Sunil Chhetri Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Children, Stats, Parents, Height, Goals, Ranking

Biography

Sunil Chhetri, born on August 3, 1984, in Secunderabad, India, is a legendary Indian footballer and the long-serving captain of the Indian national team.

Renowned for his goal-scoring prowess, he is the country’s all-time leading scorer and one of its most iconic sporting figures. Representing Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League, Chhetri has led his club to numerous domestic triumphs and earned several prestigious honors, including the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri.

Admired for his leadership, relentless work ethic, and deep passion for football, Chhetri continues to inspire countless young players across India. He is also among the top active international goal scorers globally, solidifying his legacy as a true pioneer in Indian football.

Indian footballer
Sunil Chhetri
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Sunil Chhetri
Born:	3 August 1984 (age 40 years old)
Place of Birth:	Secunderabad, India
Nationality:	Indian
Education:	Bahai School, Army Public School, Asutosh College, Tata Football Academy
Height:	170 cm
Parents:	Sushila Chhetri, KB Chhetri
Siblings:	Bandana Chhetri
Spouse:	Sonam Bhattacharya (m. 2017)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Dhruv Chhetri
Occupation:	Footballer
Net Worth:	$1 million-$1.5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Sunil Chhetri was born on August 3, 1984, in Secunderabad, Telangana (formerly part of Andhra Pradesh), India. His family is of Nepali heritage, with both parents originally hailing from Nepal before settling in India.

Though ethnically Nepali, Chhetri is Indian by birth and nationality and is celebrated as a national icon. He follows Hinduism and has long been regarded as a symbol of dedication and excellence in Indian sport.

His father, K.B. Chhetri, served as an officer in the Indian Army’s Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) and played football for the army team. His mother, Sushila Chhetri, and her twin sister were both members of the Nepal women’s national football team, giving Sunil a strong sporting lineage. He has two sisters, including Bandana Chhetri, although he keeps most details about his family life private.

Due to his father’s army postings, Sunil experienced a nomadic childhood, living in cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Darjeeling, and Gangtok. This frequent relocation exposed him to diverse cultures and environments. He began playing with makeshift balls in the streets and showed early promise in school tournaments.

Sunil studied at the Bahai School in Gangtok, where his football talent first caught the attention of scouts. He later attended the Army Public School in Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, and briefly enrolled at Asutosh College in Kolkata. However, his academic journey took a backseat when he was selected to represent India at the Asian School Championships in Malaysia in 2001—a turning point in his budding football career.

At 17, Chhetri joined the prestigious Tata Football Academy in New Delhi, known for developing some of India’s top footballers. In the 2001–02 season, he signed with City Club, a Delhi-based team, and featured in the 2002 Durand Cup, where he scored and was recognized as one of the tournament’s standout young players

Career

Sunil Chhetri’s football career spans more than two decades and is a cornerstone of Indian football history. Renowned for his goal-scoring consistency, leadership, and commitment, he is widely regarded as India’s most iconic footballer.

Chhetri began his professional journey in 2002 with Mohun Bagan in the I-League, where his early performances quickly marked him as a rising star. In 2005, he moved to JCT Mills and played a key role in the team’s I-League triumph in 2007. He continued his ascent with a transfer to East Bengal in 2008, further building his reputation as a prolific striker.

In 2010, Chhetri took his talents abroad, signing with Major League Soccer side Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City), becoming one of the first Indian players to join a top-tier Western league. Although his time in the MLS was brief, it exposed him to elite competition. He later had a short stint with Sporting CP B in Portugal, but returned to India due to limited opportunities.

Back on home soil, he joined Churchill Brothers in 2012 and secured another I-League title. His career took a defining turn in 2013 when he became the marquee signing for Bengaluru FC, a newly launched club in the Indian football scene.

Since then, Chhetri has become the face of the club, leading them to significant domestic success, including multiple I-League titles (2013–14, 2015–16), an Indian Super League (ISL) championship (2018–19), and trophies such as the Federation Cup and Super Cup. As of 2025, he remains the all-time top scorer in ISL history with over 60 goals, continuing to captain Bengaluru FC with distinction.

On the international stage, Chhetri made his debut for India in 2005, scoring in his very first match against Pakistan. Over the years, he has become India’s most-capped player, with over 150 appearances, and the all-time leading goal scorer with 94 goals. His achievements place him among the top active international scorers globally, alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Chhetri has led India to numerous titles, including SAFF Championship victories in 2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023, the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup (which secured India’s place in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup), and the 2018 Intercontinental Cup. Since becoming captain in 2012, his leadership has been central to India’s rise in South Asian football.

Over his career, he has earned a record seven AIFF Player of the Year awards and has received several of India’s highest sporting honors: the Arjuna Award (2011), the Padma Shri (2019), and the Khel Ratna (2021).

Although Chhetri announced his retirement from international football in 2024, he continues to play club football and remains a powerful influence in the Indian football landscape—both as a player and as an advocate for the sport’s growth and development.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Sunil Chhetri
• Instagram: Sunil Chhetri (@chetri_sunil11)
• Twitter: Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) / X
• Facebook: Sunil Chhetri

Personal Life

Sunil Chhetri was born on August 3, 1984, in Secunderabad, Telangana, India. He is 40 years old.

Chhetri is married to Sonam Bhattacharya, the daughter of his former coach at Mohun Bagan, Subrata Bhattacharya. The couple began dating in 2004 after meeting through football circles. Their relationship, initially kept private due to Sonam’s father’s disapproval, grew over 13 years.

They got engaged in 2017 and married on December 4, 2017, in a traditional ceremony blending Nepali and Bengali customs in Kolkata. This is Chhetri’s only marriage.

Sunil and Sonam have one child, a son named Dhruv Chhetri, born on August 31, 2023, in Bengaluru, India. There is no public information suggesting they have other children.

Chhetri stands at 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall, a height that complements his agility and striking ability on the football field.

Net Worth

Sunil Chhetri, India’s football icon, has an estimated net worth of INR 8–12.5 crore (approximately $1 million to $1.5 million).

His wealth stems from his salary with Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League, reportedly INR 1.5 crore annually, and lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Puma, Pepsi, Tata Motors, and Twelfth Man, each fetching around INR 1 crore.

Additional income comes from business ventures, including co-owning a restaurant chain in Bangalore. Chhetri owns a luxurious 7,000-square-foot Bengaluru home valued at INR 2.5–3 crore and a car collection featuring an Audi A6, Toyota Fortuner, Mahindra Scorpio, and Kia Seltos.