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Sabyasachi Bagchi: Leader. Guide. Legend.

For the past few years, these three epithets have been exclusively reserved for Sunil Chhetri. Whenever there's a match of the Indian football team and Sunil plays, at least once commentators will pronounce these three words together. Plentifully said, these epithets aren't just thrown around randomly. From commentator to supporter, those who characterize him with these three words have earned them in their own right and proved Sunil's worth. Even in retirement, he will remain a 'Captain, Leader, Legend'.

Looking back on Sunil's life, these words might need a little tweaking. Because before becoming a leader, he had already become the team's guide. It was understood long ago that within Sunil resides a natural-born leader.

Many Indian football enthusiasts will remember the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup semi-final match between India and Myanmar. The environment on the rain-soaked pitch wasn't conducive to playing football. In the dying moments of that match, a goal by Chhetri took India to the final. That goal is etched in the memories of many. Sunil received a cross from Baiichung Bhutia and headed it into the net. Despite being urged to advance further, he chose to head the ball again into the net without letting it touch the ground, as scoring a goal on the muddy pitch seemed impossible. That day in Hyderabad, not only thousands of supporters but Indian football itself recognized Sunil.

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The 2012 Nehru Cup final could also be mentioned. The Indian team was struggling against Cameroon at one point. With just 15 minutes left in the match, Sunil converted a penalty awarded against the opponents. He equalized with his own goal. In the tie-breaker, India defeated Cameroon to lift the trophy.

These two incidents, along with many other small events, demonstrated Sunil's talent. Over the years, he proved that when it came to scoring goals, no one else needed to be there; he was always present. He would lead the pilgrims; he would lead the team. He showed that leadership within the team could be established even without the captain's armband. Through his own performances, he made it clear that he was needed by the team. He silently urged the youngsters, saying, "Watch and learn from me." That's when Baiichung stepped in at the end. It wasn't easy for anyone to find a successor to lead the Indian team after him.

From the beginning to the end of every match played for the Indian team, Sunil's responsibility remained the same. Due to age, his pace may have decreased, and agility might have waned. But what hasn't diminished is his indomitable thirst for victory and his resilient mindset. Whether winning or losing, he hasn't let out excessive cheers or sunk into tears. He has kept his head held high, controlled his emotions, and resolved not to repeat the same mistakes next time. Just as the journey began against Pakistan in 2005, in 2024, at the end of that journey, Sunil remains the same.

Usually, players showcase their skills at the national level after performing well at the club level. They gradually gain recognition from there. But the situation is the opposite for Sunil. He had proved himself so much in the national jersey early in his career that he couldn't replicate the same level of performance at the club level. After leaving JCT in 2008, Sunil's form had deteriorated slightly. Despite scoring crucial goals in vital moments or difficult matches for the national team, he couldn't do the same wearing club jerseys.

Here's where a significant turning point in Sunil's life came with his journey to Sporting Club de Goa in Portugal. A few days ago, he admitted to journalists that if he had been a little younger, he wouldn't have returned from Portugal. But the time spent with Sporting, the exposure to modern training methods, the lessons learned from coaches, and the education received from contemporaries had propelled him leaps and bounds ahead in subsequent years.

Joining Bengaluru FC marked another significant step in Sunil's life. He took his game to such heights that others had never dared to dream of. It's as if Sunil constantly reminded the young footballers that if they wanted to excel, they should watch and learn from him. Every training session was an opportunity to sweat it out, to eagerly grasp new lessons, and to strengthen his own arsenal further. There was no room for complacency in anything he did. He could tirelessly put in the effort. He demonstrated that until the end of his international career.

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Going to Portugal brought Sunil another major acquisition: learning the importance of fitness. Virat Kohli once mentioned that his perception of fitness changed after seeing his own reflection in the mirror post the 2011 World Cup. There's no specific incident known regarding Sunil's involvement in fitness, but what he emphasized and continues to do so regarding fitness has no comparison. In the past, it was heard that footballers would eat biryani and still step onto the field. Sunil is extremely cautious about this. He never strays from his diet, sleep routine, and training. He never touched alcohol. Many of today's footballers might not adhere to this discipline, but Sunil has maintained it steadfastly. He has sent a message here too: "Watch and learn from me." He knew what kind of message ideal leaders needed to convey, and he did just that.

As a leader, Sunil never burdened his teammates with any pressure. He always said, "Love the game. Love the team. That's where true joy lies." He emphasized on lifting the next generation with vigor. Former footballers often reminisce about their glory days, saying, "Back in our time, it was like this," or "During our era, it was that way." But when asked what they did for football, they remain silent. It's certain that in the future, Sunil will never utter such words. Who will score goals for Indian football after his departure? Even a few days before retiring, Sunil expressed hope about this. He made it clear that the current footballers hold that resolve, that zeal, to carry the baton forward. He never belittled anyone. He didn't diminish anyone's stature. He didn't allow any conflicts within the team. He transcended the word "ego" with wisdom. When the team scored a goal, he was the first to run to the goalkeeper. He boosted their confidence. He rectified mistakes behind the scenes. An ideal teammate. An ideal leader.

Indian football has had many legends in the past. P.K. Banerjee, Chuni Goswami, Tulsidas Balaram, Ahmed Khan, Apparao, Saleh, Jarnail Singh—the list goes on. With all due respect to them, it can be said that in terms of promoting Indian football on the world stage, Sunil Chhetri is unparalleled. Winning the Asian Games and playing well in the Olympics had indeed placed India on the world football map. However, as football modernized, India gradually started lagging behind in the race. Many had almost forgotten that India played football. One could only find India in the rankings if one looked from the bottom up.

It was Baichung Bhutia who first took on the role of showcasing the Indian team to the world. He earned acclaim while playing abroad. Sunil Chhetri has carried that legacy much further. Otherwise, after his retirement announcement, would FIFA ever post his picture alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to pay tribute? Even setting aside thoughts of tapping into the Indian market, it can be said that Sunil has earned that respect on his own merit. It's because he scored 94 goals for the national team that FIFA featured his picture with Ronaldo and Messi. Would they have done so if he had only scored 50 goals? Out of 210 countries that play football worldwide, besides Messi and Ronaldo, which other active player's countryman has managed to get into this race? Yet, when this question is posed to Sunil, he says that he cannot be compared to the quality of Messi and Ronaldo. It's just a matter of numbers.

The question isn't who will score goals after Sunil Chhetri retires, but who will promote Indian football in the same way? Until June 6, the stadiums have been filled because of Sunil. After him? Hardcore football fans might still come to the stadiums, but will the next generation have the same enthusiasm?

Indian football fans may not know what lies ahead, but for so long, they have proudly said, "So what if you have Messi and Ronaldo? We have Sunil Chhetri." When will India produce another Sunil Chhetri? Even Sunil doesn't know the answer to that. Neither do the Indian fans.

Perhaps the biggest void left in Indian football by the "Captain, Leader, Legend" is this uncertainty. Along with it remain a lot of questions, the answers to which no one knows when they will be found.