On Sunday, India striker Sunil Chhetri, 37, made history by equalling Pele's international goal tally and he is behind only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo on the list of international goalscorers who remain active.
Chhetri's winning goal against Nepal was his 77th strike for India, drawling him level with Pele on the all-time list and UAE's Ali Mabkhout on the active list. Ahead of Chhetri and Mabkhout are Messi (80) and Ronaldo (112).
Messi recently became the top South American international goalscorer of all time, but Chhetri is just three goals behind and can dream of overtaking him.
However, he and Mabkhout will have their work cut out to become the top AFC international scorer of all time as that honour belongs to Iran's Ali Daei, who with 109 goals is second on the all-time overall list, which he led until Ronaldo overtook him earlier this year.
Chhetri, who currently plays for Bengaluru in the Indian Super League, has spent most of his career in his home country, although he had very brief spells with Kansas City Wizards, where he made just one cup appearance, and later Sporting CP's B team in the Portuguese second tier.
The 37-year-old is India's record international goalscorer by some distance, with more than double the tally of the his nearest competitor.
KRISTIANO007
677
to all the Messi and Ronaldo fans... who makes fun of Chhetri... For us Indians he is more than any other player in this world because his efforts and contributions to Indian football is unbelievable.We too fight for Messi and Ronaldo but we are one in case of Chhetri
YasrabCR7
579
competing with Messi and Ronaldo [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh] Joke of the year
rohithirapur
577
Captain Leader Legend Sunil Chhetri 🇮🇳 🔥
MichaelFrolian
486
Messi and Ronaldo now 😂😂
Jayshinde1234
438
Heart Off Indian Football ⚽️ ❤❤❤❤❤❤ Sunil Bhai
stunnerkicks
324
the title is wrong .. it should be "COMPETING WITH MESSI" ... Ronaldo is way much above them all
Desmondeyum
264
Suarez : "The only player I will never bite is Messi"
MichaelFrolian
244
sunil trying to compete with 🐐🐐😂😂
SIDKAUSH
97
India is not a footballing country but this legend is the one of the reasons why some indians watch football.
Jordon4u
10
competing with Messi and Ronaldo [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh] Joke of the year
It didn’t say he is also a goat just competing with Ronaldo and Messi on the international level when it comes to GOALS. Chetri is also playing soccer and it’s nothing offending. I know CR7 and Messi are currently in another level but appreciate what needs to be appreciated.