Chhetri: Brazil, Uruguay, and Panama matches will reveal where Indian football stands today

File photo- Sunil Chhetri is the fourth highest goal-scorer in international football with 95 goals for India. | Photo Credit: AP

Every blade of grass on the pitch at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru will have a story to tell about Sunil Chhetri.

Whether it is his 60-yard solo run to score for India against Kyrgyzstan in 2017 or the infamous free kick that prompted Kerala Blasters to walk off the field in 2023, Captain Fantastic has certainly etched his name into the city’s football folklore.

But on Friday, when India hosts Panama in the first of three international friendlies in this window, the spectators in the stands will have to make do without Chhetri in the front line, following his retirement late last year.

Ahead of the tie, the 42-year-old gave Sportstar his views on the challenging games that are coming up for India, what the players should try to get from it and more.

Q. What was your initial reaction when it was announced that India was going to face heavyweights like Brazil, Uruguay and Panama?

My first reaction was that these are exactly the kind of games that can teach you a lot. Playing against teams of that level gives you a chance to test yourself against some of the best players and understand where you stand. Brazil and Uruguay have such a rich footballing tradition, and Panama has also established themselves well internationally. 

Q. Which players among those teams do you admire the most?

There are many players I admire, but I’ve always tried to look at the team rather than just individuals. 

The quality, intensity and decision-making of these players are something our boys can learn a lot from and testing ourselves defensively will stand us in good stead going forward.

Q. What are you expecting the team to get from these friendlies?

The biggest thing to earn from these games is the experience. These games can show the players what the highest level demands - in terms of speed, physicality, concentration and decision-making.

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The result will obviously matter, but there is a lot more that the team can take away from these matches.

Q. The Unity Cup earlier this year saw India lose two games without scoring a goal. As an attacking player, can you explain what is going wrong in the Indian front line and where improvements can be made, both physical and mental?

I don’t think it’s fair to look at it only as a problem with the forwards. Scoring goals is a team responsibility, and sometimes you don’t create enough chances, sometimes you don’t make the right decisions in the final third, and sometimes you simply don’t get the breaks you need. 

Chhetri believes Indian football will learn a lot from the upcoming friendlies. | Photo Credit: FDSL

For the attacking players, it’s important to keep working, and mentally, you also have to stay patient. Football can change very quickly, and one good game or one good goal can change the way you feel. The important thing is not to let a difficult spell affect your confidence.

Q. You have walked the team out in several high-pressure games, and the matches against these giants could be intimidating for the younger squad members. What piece of advice would you pass down to them?

Enjoy it; that’s probably the simplest advice I can give. You have to respect the opposition, but you cannot be scared of them. These are the games you dream of playing when you’re young. 

Once you step onto the pitch, it’s still football; you have to run, compete, make decisions and do your job. Don’t spend too much time thinking about who you are facing; rather, concentrate on what you can control and give everything you’ve got. These are experiences that can stay with you for a very long time.

Q. You are no stranger to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, where India takes on Panama. Apart from your time with Bengaluru FC, can you share your experience wearing the national colours at the stadium?

Kanteerava has always been a very special stadium. I’ve played a lot of football there, but wearing the national team jersey at this stadium is a different feeling altogether. The atmosphere, the people and the memories associated with the stadium make it special. 

When you play for India, you understand what that jersey means, and doing that at a stadium where so many people have supported you over the years makes it even more meaningful.

Published on Sep 25, 2026

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