Indian football great Sunil Chhetri on Saturday admitted he feels “a little jealous” watching the current generation get an opportunity to come up against top international sides such as Brazil and Uruguay.
Chhetri, who was the face of Indian football for more than two decades, said he never got an opportunity of this magnitude during his lengthy professional and international career.
“I feel a little jealous as a spectator,” Sunil Chhetri said. “In my 24–26 years as a professional and nearly 20 years with the national team, I never got an opportunity like this.”
India’s upcoming fixtures involving Brazil and Uruguay have generated considerable excitement, and Chhetri urged the players to stay fit, compete with determination and make the most of the opportunity.
The former India captain also backed the head coach and the coaching staff when asked about team selection and the omission of certain players.
Chhetri said the coach understands the team’s requirements and expressed complete faith in the decisions being taken in the interest of the squad.
“The coach has to answer that. I’m just a fan now, watching like everyone else,” he said.
Asked about the possibility of returning to action, Chhetri responded with humour, playing down his own fitness levels.
“I just trained for 20 minutes. I’m around 42 now, I can barely run properly and I’m struggling,” he joked.
Chhetri, however, remains confident in the current Indian squad and believes the team has enough young talent to make the most of the opportunity.
“This is their time. There are so many talented youngsters in the team. Everyone gets their opportunity; just like I got mine 20 years ago,” he added.
With India preparing for a rare opportunity to test itself against elite international opposition, Chhetri will now watch from the sidelines, backing the young players to embrace the occasion and make a mark.
(Inputs from AIFF)
