Whenever Indian football and the Indian Super League are mentioned, one man’s name instantly comes to mind: Sunil Chhetri. For nearly two decades, he has been the face, voice, and heartbeat of Indian football. And in a sporting world where we admire Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for continuing to shine in their 40s, it is only fair that we celebrate our own legend with equal pride. At 41 years and 196 days, Chhetri has etched his name into ISL history once again, becoming the oldest goalscorer in the league. The milestone came during Bengaluru FC’s 2025–26 season opener against Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, a night that felt less like the beginning of a season and more like a tribute to resilience.

The Record-Breaking Moment

Chhetri began the match on the bench, a rare sight for fans accustomed to seeing him lead from the front. Bengaluru FC started with Sivasakthi Narayanan and Ryan Williams in attack, and the home side looked lively from the first whistle. Williams went close early on, while Ashique Kuruniyan’s powerful header tested Sporting Club Delhi goalkeeper Vishal Yadav. The deadlock was broken just before half-time when Nikhil Poojary’s perfectly placed header found Sivasakthi, who calmly finished to give Bengaluru the lead. The home side continued to press, but the visitors showed resilience. Augustine Lalrochana forced Gurpreet Sandhu into a fine save, and Alan Saji nearly brought Sporting Club Delhi level. 

Then came the moment the crowd had been waiting for. Chhetri entered in the 78th minute. In added time, sensing an opportunity, he capitalised on Vishal Yadav’s positioning outside the box. Dodging the advancing goalkeeper, Chhetri calmly slotted a left-footed strike into the empty net. The stadium erupted. The goal sealed a 2-0 victory and created history. With that strike, he surpassed the previous record held by French World Cup winner Robert Pires, who had scored at 41 years and 15 days during the 2014–15 season. Chhetri, at 41 years and 196 days, now stands alone at the top of that list.

Standing Above Global Icons in ISL History

The Indian Super League has welcomed several international greats over the years. Alessandro Del Piero scored at the age of 40 years and one month. Mikael Silvestre found the net at 37 years and over four months. David Trezeguet scored at 37 years and 15 days. But there is a difference. Many of those players arrived in India after building illustrious careers in Europe. 

Chhetri, however, built his legend largely within Indian football. He did not come here to finish his story; he wrote his entire story here. That is what makes this record deeply personal for Indian fans. 

Longevity Built on Discipline

Modern football demands extraordinary fitness and mental strength. To remain competitive at 41 requires more than talent. It demands discipline in diet, relentless training, careful recovery, and unwavering focus. Chhetri has adapted his game over time. While younger forwards rely on pace and physical dominance, he relies on intelligent movement, anticipation, and composure. His understanding of space allows him to make decisive runs. His finishing remains sharp because of years of experience reading defenders and goalkeepers. Even in this match, his goal was not about speed. It was about awareness. He saw the goalkeeper out of position and executed the opportunity with calm precision.

More Than a Goal, A Statement

For the 12,300-strong crowd at Kanteerava, the goal was more than a statistic. It was emotional. Many in the stands have watched Chhetri grow from a promising young striker into the face of Indian football. In a country where football competes with cricket for attention, Chhetri has consistently carried the sport’s hopes. He has scored for the national team in crucial matches, led Bengaluru FC to titles, and inspired countless youngsters to believe in football as a career. This record sends a powerful message. When we applaud global superstars for defying age, we must celebrate our own heroes with the same energy. Sunil Chhetri’s journey deserves to stand in the same conversation.

A Living Inspiration

Records will eventually be broken. Age will eventually catch up. But the inspiration Chhetri provides will endure. For young Indian footballers watching from academies and school grounds, his story proves that professionalism and perseverance can extend a career beyond expectations. He has shown that Indian players can match global standards in dedication and longevity. He has shown that leadership is not about shouting instructions but about delivering when it matters most. At 41 years and 196 days, Sunil Chhetri is not merely the oldest goalscorer in ISL history. He is a symbol of commitment, pride, and belief in Indian football. And as long as he keeps stepping onto the pitch with that familiar hunger, one thing remains certain: whenever Indian football is mentioned, one name will continue to echo above all others.