When India football captain Sunil Chhetri made an impassioned plea to fans to come to stadiums and support the national team, there was an outpouring of emotions. Fans made sure that the rest of India's matches in the Intercontinental Cup were sold out and that they all would "bleed blue together" at the Mumbai Football Arena cheering for the team.
What brought on the video, Chhetri has been asked multiple time since then. He has spoken about his thoughts on football in India and how he never thought that his video would make such a huge impact and get a massive response. At a promotional event after winning the final against Kenya and lifting the Intercontinental Cup on Sunday, the suave captain again answered the same question, but in a lighter vein.
“Actually I am ageing. That's why you get these weird kind of thoughts in the morning when you don't get your breakfast on time. And then you post that kind of a video message,” Chhetri quipped.
“Had my PR team got a whiff of it, they wouldn't have allowed me to post that message. Kya karein buddhe ho rahein aur ab shaadi bhi ho gayi hain (What to do, I am getting old and now I am married too),” Chhetri joked.
Of course, an answer like that is sure to raise questions about his future. However, Chhetri played down talks of retirement. “It was a joke, sir. I am not going anywhere. I am very much here and playing the game.”
The three and a half minute video was one of the most stirring moments of Indian sports and Chhetri touched a chord when he asked the fans to show up even if just to abuse the team.
All of India's matches in the Intercontinental Cup post Chhetri's plea witnessed massive turnouts. Chhetri, who scored eight goals in the tournament, equalled Messi's record as the second highest scorer among active players with 64 goals.
Chhetri also spoke about how parents should encourage their kids to pursue sports.
“My parents were extremely supportive when I wanted to pursue football. My mother had played for the Nepal national team and she knew what it meant to represent the country.
“That's why I keep telling parents that please encourage your child. You need to be extremely patient with them. One day they will come up and tell that they want to become Bhaichung Bhutia.
“The next day they will say that they want to become Leander Paes. On another day, they would like to become doctor or engineer. You can't lose patience with your kids,” Chhetri said.
With inputs from PTI