What’s the story?
Bengaluru FC striker Sunil Chhetri will not be able to join his team for the club’s upcoming match against Aizawl FC on Sunday.
The context
The Federation Cup semi-final clash between the Bengaluru FC and Aizawl FC is scheduled this Sunday and Chhetri would not be able to participate because of a muscle injury to his leg. He had to be substituted in the latter part of the match against Mohun Bagan on Friday citing discomfort in his legs.
Heart of the matter
According to a recent report, Bengaluru Coach, Albert Roca said that Chhetri’s injury was a muscle issue and while he would definitely be missing the semi-finals, it may rule him out of the final match as well. He also added that the hot and humid weather conditions had aggravated his injury.
Chhetri has had a very arduous and hectic season so far. After ending last season with the AFC Cup, the 32-year-old had gone on to play for Indian Super League (ISL) club Mumbai City FC, a tournament which is very demanding in itself. There was no stopping the passionate footballer after the ISL ended as a month later, he started his I-League campaign with Bengaluru and came this very far.
Between Bengaluru and the Indian national team, given the exertion he has had to undergo along with his age, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the seasoned forward is now having to face the consequences of a burnout after a sustained run of pitch time.
What’s next?
According to Roca, if Chhetri’s injury ends up getting more severe, then he may have to miss the rest of the season.
The AFC Cup match against Mohun Bagan will be held in Kolkata on the 17th of May and the team will target a spot in the next round.
Author’s take
Having been voted as the best player in I- League this year, there is no denying that this football veteran is one of India’s favourite footballers and the fans would like to continue watching his stellar performance on the field. However, it is important to note that it doesn’t get much easier for him at this age. With the increasing number of matches to play and pressure to perform, the community of footballers and fans in this country will wish him a full and speedy recovery.
