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What's the story?
Besides being remarkably talented in one's game, the spirit of true sportsmanship also shows up when dealing with fans. Such was the case with India's much loved and very own Sunil Chhetri, whose post-match gesture proved why he will always be an all-time favourite amongst the masses.
Having scored a brace against Mumbai City FC in the ISL on Thursday, Chhetri was cheered on by the fans of his former club, who gave him credit for his spectacular performance. The Indian skipper left no stone unturned in reciprocating his graciousness by acknowledging the fans in the stands.
In case you didn't know...
Indian captain Sunil Chhetri had a two-year long and productive stint at Mumbai FC City in the ISL in 2015 and 2016. He was transferred to Bengaluru FC for this season's ISL.
The clash between Mumbai FC City and Bengaluru FC on Thursday, therefore, was interesting on a number of levels, with Chhetri scoring against his former club.
The heart of the matter
The Indian skipper was in red-hot form in the match against his former club. He scored a brace that helped Bengaluru FC regain its top position with a 3-1 victory over Mumbai City FC on their home ground.
However, what stood out more than the game that day was its post-match moment. Despite having lost the match, the Mumbai fans did not deter from showing their appreciation and love for their hero. In a tweet posted right after the match, one can clearly see the devotion that the fans have towards the spirit of the game and Sunil Chhetri himself.
As the tweet clearly states, at that moment it wasn't the club but the player that mattered to them more than anything. Referring to him as "still our hero", the Mumbai and Bengaluru fans were united by their love for the player and constantly cheered for him.
In an even more overwhelming moment, Chhetri's gesture towards this appreciation is something that will keep him in the hearts of football fans for years to come.
What's next?
After their victory against Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC will now gear up for their next face off against NorthEast United on the 26th of January where Chhetri will look to add to his tally.
Author's take
Constantly bowing to the fans and throwing what seemed to be his shin guards to the crowd as a gesture of appreciation, the Indian skipper not only won the match but also the hearts of millions of people, besides the ones in the crowd.
