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The FPAI player of the year 2009, shares his childhood secret and much more in this exclusive interview with FOOTBALLINDIA.com

He is not very tall, has a baby face and is a self confessed dreamer, but he also doubles up as one of the most formidable forces in Indian football. 23 year old Sunil Chhetri has given many a striker who plys his trade for the country a run for his money. Here in this exclusive chat, the winner of the Football Players' Associations' Player of the Year award tells us about his career and much more... (CLICK BELOW TO PLAY AUDIO)

Q: India has anxiously been searching for a quality striker for the past few years to team up with Bhutia and now you have come up to give fresh hopes to the country, how do you feel partnering one of the best Indian players?
Sunil Chhetri (SC): It feels great, but again it brings a lot of responsibility with it. However, it is not about one individual, it is always about the bunch: the team including the coach and the federation, we all function together.

Q: Did playing football come naturally to you as a youngster?
SC: Both my parents used to play football, so as such it was in the family. It’s something which came naturally to me but even if you have skills you have to work hard to be a good player. I was in a dilemma as to take up football as a career, but when i went to Mohun Bagan, is when i realized you can actually make a career out of it.

Q: Sunil, give us a glimpse of your childhood days, did you play for your school and state teams? How did you graduate as a footballer?
SC: Yeah, I used to play for my school and later on i was a regular in the Delhi junior state-level teams. But I never thought I could make a career in football. My motive was to win certificates playing football, so that I could get into good colleges in Delhi. It was more about the passion for the game. But after my 12th standard I got an offer from Mohun Bagan and when I went there I actually learned about professional football in India. That is when I decided that I wanted to play professionally.

Q: Tell us about that transition and how it has helped you to play for India?

SC: When I joined Mohun Bagan, I actually played for the junior sides, so there was always that motivation to play for India and the senior level because that’s the alpha and omega of football in India. I always dreamt about playing in the national colours. I found it quite hard to break into the squad, but I kept working hard and it finally paid-off.

Q: As a footballer did you train in any other positions or did you always want to be a striker?
Sunil Chhetri: I was always a striker, but I still have a long way to go. I see people play, listen to what the coaches have to say and learn as much as I can.

Q: How is club football different from playing for India?
Sunil Chhetri: I think both hold their own importance. It’s altogether a different feeling. The feeling of wearing the Blue jersey, standing there for the national anthem is simply amazing. We know that the money and the security come from club football so it’s important as well.

This is Part 1 of a three-part interview. Stay tuned to FOOTBALLINDIA.com to hear more from the newest gem in Indian football.

SUNIL CHHETRI PLAYER PROFILE