Aging Like Fine Wine: Sunil Chhetri's ISL records after 35

Sunil Chhetri could become the oldest player to score an ISL goal next season!

Bengaluru FC’s captain Sunil Chhetri is one of the best players to be born in Indian soil. Since making his Indian Super League (ISL) debut in 2015, the Indian stalwart has gone on to create multiple records and is also the highest scorer in the league’s history.

Captain-Leader-Legend, as he is lovingly called by his fans, is on the cusp of becoming the oldest scorer in ISL history, if he finds the back of the net next season. Given Chhetri’s form in the 2024-25 season, it only seems a matter of time before he takes this record from the legendary Robert Pires.

Here are four stats that prove age is just a number for Sunil Chhetri, as the Indian forward has proved time and time again that he can still give the youngsters a run for their money.

Second-oldest Indian player in the ISL

The oldest player to play an ISL match is David James. The former Kerala Blasters’ captain cum coach last played for the club on 20th December 2014 against ATK in the first ever ISL Final. At the time, the goalkeeper was 44 years and 141 days old.

In terms of Indian players alone, Sandip Nandy, another Kerala Blasters’ goalkeeper, holds the record for playing an ISL game at the age of 41 years and 314 days. This makes him the oldest player from India to ever play in the league.

Sunil Chhetri, who will be turning 41 in August, has to keep playing for at least the next three seasons if he hopes to become the oldest player to ever take the field in the ISL. He is currently the second oldest Indian player to play in the league.

Oldest player to score a hattrick

Sunil Chhetri made history in the 2024-25 ISL season as he became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the league. India’s highest goalscorer scored three in Bengaluru FC’s 4-2 win over the Blasters at the Kanteerava Stadium. Chhetri was 40 years and 126 days old when he achieved the feat.

Previously, Bartholomew Ogbeche, another ISL veteran, had held the record of being the oldest hat-trick scorer in the league. The Nigerian was 38 years and 96 days old when he scored three goals for Hyderabad FC in a game against FC Goa in the 2022-23 ISL season.

Most goals in the ISL playoffs by a player aged over 35

As seen over the years, most football players wind down their football career around the age of 35. However, Chhetri is one of the few players that is still performing at the highest level after crossing the age of 40.

The Bengaluru FC skipper has helped his clubs to the ISL playoffs twice since crossing the age of 35. Chhetri has scored 5 goals in eight playoff matches, holding the record for the most goals scored by a player in the ISL playoffs post the age of 35.

Chhetri, however, couldn’t help his club win the ISL Cup as on both occasions, the Blues lost the final to Mohun Bagan, ending their season in heartbreak.

Oldest player to score in an ISL playoff

Keeping the spotlight on the ISL playoffs, Sunil Chhetri also holds the record of being the oldest player to score a goal in the deciding stages of the league competition.

BFC’s Captain-Leader-Legend scored in the semi-final against FC Goa on 6th April 2025, making him 40 years and 246 days old on that day. Though Bengaluru FC lost 2-1 on the night, Chhetri’s goal was worth gold as the Southern club won 3-2 on aggregate and moved on to the ISL Final.

Sunil Chhetri can still improve on this stat if he takes his side to the ISL playoffs and finds the back of the net in the coming seasons.

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