When Virat Kohli is playing, I make sure I catch something: Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri also revealed his favourite travel spots in India.

For many football fans, watching interviews with their favourite players is more than just entertainment – it’s a boost of excitement and inspiration. These conversations offer a backstage pass into the lives of players, giving fans a chance to know them beyond the field. It’s a way for supporters to connect with their idols on a personal level, discovering the stories and motivations that fuel their love for the game. 

Recently, Kamiya Jani, Editor-in-Chief of The Curly Tales, sat down with Indian football’s greatest star, Sunil Chhetri. During their conversation, Kamiya explored a myriad of topics with the Indian football legend. The discussion spanned from Sunil Chhetri’s first paycheque to his reflections on cricket and even touched upon his favourite travel destination.

Let’s take a look on what Sunil Chhetri had to say on these topics:

First paycheque

It may not come as a surprise to many that Sunil Chhetri received his first paycheque from football. Given Chhetri’s early immersion in the sport, his love for football is a lifelong commitment that is evident in the story of his inaugural paycheck. The India skipper said, “I wasn’t good at anything (except football). I used to bet money on volleyball games in school and that’s how I made a lot of money then.”

But the Bengaluru FC talisman also shared an important message, “If you’re quite young, don’t think of making money by sports. You play because it’s going to make you a better human being, a healthier human being. It just makes you fair, kind. It teaches you even if you have lost; it’s all right. What sports teaches you is to go on.”

Does Sunil Chhetri watch Cricket?

The ISL and ICC Cricket World Cup are simultaneously running at the same time. When Curly Tales asked the stalwart whether he watches cricket in between the matches, he replied, “Yes, yes. Though I am unable to watch the whole match, especially ODIs. I got the Pakistan game. I generally don’t miss that fixture.”

Chhetri also commented on his relationship with Indian Cricket Icon, Virat Kohli, who is in top-notch form in the ongoing World Cup. “When he’s (Virat Kohli) playing, I make sure that I catch something, whenever India is playing. The one thing I have learned from him is, no matter what he does today, he’s still hungry the next day,” he highlighted.

Favourite travel destination in India

When the third highest active international goal-scorer was asked, what’s his favourite travel destination in India, he quickly mentioned Ooty. “It’s not a mountain, but it gives you that chilly experience. And also one of the jungles Bandipur and Kabini are close, and that’s our favourite gateway,” Chhetri revealed.

A multilingual person

The Indian national team skipper also shared that he is proficient in a variety of languages, spanning from Punjabi to Nepali. Each of these languages holds a short story that adds a unique dimension to Sunil Chhetri’s linguistic repertoire.

He said, “Virtue of different places. I can speak Punjabi because I stayed in Punjab. I can speak Bengali too, because I have been abused a lot in Bengal. I can speak a fair amount of English, Hindi, Nepali. Haryanvi I understand. Konkani I understand, because I have played in Goa, I can’t speak. Gujarati I can understand.”

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