Even after 19 years, 145 international matches, and 93 goals, 39-year-old Sunil Chhetri is seen going through a daily transformation, as he, along with the Blue Tigers, prepare for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2023, in Doha, Qatar. 

For it is when the India captain takes to the pitch, that he transfigures himself into an 18-year-old playing for the love of the beautiful game.

“That’s the way I want to play, whatever time I have left with the national team,” said a smiling Chhetri to the AIFF website. “I had a chat with my wife about the Asian Cup and the World Cup Qualifiers against Afghanistan later, and it seemed to her that I was taking too much pressure with these matches.

“She told me to just go out there and enjoy. You start playing football because you love it. When we used to play the small sided games as kids, it was for the enjoyment of the game. But when you become pro, you get bogged down by all the noise and expectations, and the wins and the losses. Sometimes we tend to forget why we started it all. The essence of football is lost,” he said.

“It’s all about the mindset of going out there and enjoying it. Of course, you still have to maintain discipline, and do all the things that you have to do around football, you can’t forget your duties, but at the end of the day, once you go out there, you should enjoy what you’re doing,” said Chhetri.

Chhetri is now on the brink of playing his third AFC Asian Cup, the other two editions coming in 2011 and 2019, and the India captain has a special feeling for the tournament.

While Chhetri has scored four goals in his six matches at the AFC Asian Cup, the 2023 edition will be an altogether different one for him. Not only is the India no. 11 older and wiser, but he also became a father last year.

That many not have changed his perspective on football, but it certainly has changed his outlook on life.

“I’m so much happier and calmer now. It’s like I’ve had a different responsibility and purpose ever since I became a father, it’s something that I can’t explain,” he said. “I’m so fortunate that my wife is doing all the heavy lifting so I can come here and train, play, and get my eight hours of sleep,” said the Blue Tigers captain.