Sunil Chhetri: Age, Height, Family, Career and Net Worth of India’s Football Legend

Sunil Chhetri is widely regarded as the greatest footballer India has ever produced. As the long serving captain of the Indian national team and the all time top scorer for both the national side and the Indian Super League, Chhetri spent more than two decades redefining what football means to a country that has traditionally lived and breathed cricket.

This article covers everything about Sunil Chhetri, including his age, height, family background, career journey, achievements and net worth.

Who Is Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC. He is the all time top scorer in ISL history, the most capped player for the Indian national team, and ranks among the top active international goalscorers in the world, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in terms of goals scored for country. Known for his pace, sharp finishing and calm leadership, he is often described as the man who single handedly changed the perception of football in India.

Sunil Chhetri Age

Sunil Chhetri was born on August 3, 1984, in Secunderabad, Telangana, which was then part of Andhra Pradesh. This makes him around 42 years old as of 2026. His zodiac sign is Leo.

Height, Weight and Physical Appearance

Sunil Chhetri stands at approximately 5 feet 7 inches, or around 170 centimeters, and his playing weight is reported to be in the range of 65 to 70 kilograms depending on the season and fitness cycle. Despite not having the typical height associated with modern forwards, he built his game around sharp movement, quick bursts of pace and precise finishing. He has dark brown eyes and black hair, and has maintained a lean, athletic build throughout most of his playing career thanks to a disciplined fitness and nutrition routine.

Early Life and Family

Sunil Chhetri comes from a family with a strong sporting background on both sides. His father, K.B. Chhetri, served as an officer in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers of the Indian Army and played football for the army team. His mother, Sushila Chhetri, along with her twin sister, represented the Nepal women’s national football team, giving Sunil a rare dual sporting lineage from both parents. He also has a sister named Bandana Chhetri, though he has largely kept his broader family life away from public attention.

Because of his father’s frequent army postings, Chhetri grew up moving between cities including New Delhi, Kolkata, Darjeeling and Gangtok. This nomadic childhood exposed him to different cultures and, notably, different languages, and he is fluent in five languages today: English, Hindi, Nepali, Bengali and Kannada. He first developed a serious interest in football while studying at Bahai School in Gangtok, before later attending Army Public School in Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi.

Career Journey

Chhetri’s professional career began in 2002 when he signed a three year deal with Mohun Bagan after impressing during a Durand Cup appearance for City Club in Delhi. He went on to play for several clubs over the years, including JCT, East Bengal, and a stint with Major League Soccer side Kansas City Wizards in 2010, becoming one of the few Indian players to move to a major foreign league at the time. He also had a brief spell with Sporting CP’s reserve side in Portugal.

Chhetri eventually settled at Bengaluru FC, where he became the club captain and its most iconic player, leading the side to multiple domestic titles. At the international level, he made his debut for India in 2005 and went on to become the country’s all time leading scorer, helping India win multiple SAFF Championships, Nehru Cups and the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which qualified India for its first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years.

He announced his retirement from international football in June 2024 after a farewell match against Kuwait in Kolkata, but returned to the national setup in March 2025 at the request of newly appointed head coach Manolo Marquez to help India through the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign.

Achievements and Awards

Over the course of his career, Sunil Chhetri has received several of India’s highest sporting honors. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2011, the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honor, in 2019, and the Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor, in 2021, becoming the first footballer to receive it. In 2025, he was also honored with the Bhogeswar Baruah National Sports Award for lifetime achievement in sports. He has additionally won multiple AIFF Player of the Year awards across different seasons of his career.

Sunil Chhetri Net Worth

Sunil Chhetri’s net worth is estimated to be around 7 to 8 crore rupees, roughly equivalent to 1 million US dollars. His earnings come primarily from his football salary at Bengaluru FC, combined with long standing brand endorsements with major companies over the years. Since these figures are not officially disclosed by Chhetri himself, they remain estimates based on industry reports rather than confirmed numbers.

Social Media Profile

Sunil Chhetri maintains an active presence on social media, particularly on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, where he regularly shares updates about his matches, training and personal milestones. He uses these platforms not just to connect with fans but also as a tool to promote football culture across India, often engaging directly with young players and fans.

Sunil Chhetri Wife

Sunil Chhetri is married to Sonam Bhattacharya, the daughter of former Mohun Bagan footballer Subrata Bhattacharya, who also coached Chhetri during his early days at the club. The couple got married in December 2017 after a relationship that spanned more than a decade, and they welcomed their son Dhruv in 2023. You can read the full story of their relationship and more about Sonam Bhattacharya in our detailed article on Sunil Chhetri’s wife.

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