Sunil Chhetri: “The Hurt Won’t Fade Until Bengaluru FC Clinch the ISL Title”

Indian football legend and Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri has openly shared the emotional toll of losing the Indian Super League (ISL) final, admitting that the pain won’t subside until his team finally lifts the trophy. After a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), Chhetri took to social media to reflect on the loss and offer some comfort to fans.

In a message filled with raw honesty and trademark wisdom, the 40-year-old striker admitted that he needed time to process the final himself. Bengaluru FC had initially taken the lead when Mohun Bagan defender Alberto Rodríguez scored an own goal. But MBSG quickly bounced back, equalizing through a Jason Cummings penalty 23 minutes later. In added time, Jamie Maclaren struck the winner for MBSG, completing a stunning comeback and adding another chapter to their ISL legacy.

Despite the setback, Chhetri ended the 2024–25 ISL season with an impressive record. He scored 14 goals, making him the second-highest goal scorer of the season and the top-scoring Indian player. He also contributed two assists.

Reflecting on the loss, Chhetri wrote, “Like everyone else after losing a final, I sat down with all the ‘what-ifs’ and ‘should-haves.’ The freekick. The header. Every half chance. It hurt.”

He encouraged fans to let themselves feel the disappointment before bouncing back. “I know how you all feel. Losing stings. This one will linger. So go ahead—grab that tub of ice cream, order that cheat meal on a Monday, skip the gym if you need to. Do what you must to feel better. Then, after some time, remember: this hurt will only fade when we win.”

Chhetri reminded fans why they love the club. “You support this team because you know who we are. Don’t let anything change that. We’ve lost finals before, and we’ve always come back stronger. That’s the only way BFC knows how to fight.”

“We’ll hurt for now, and then we’ll push forward till we win. That’s how we do it at this football club,” he concluded in his heartfelt Instagram post.

Though he didn’t score in the recent final, Chhetri’s playoff performances over the years have been remarkable. Across 16 knockout games for Bengaluru FC, he has scored 10 goals and provided one assist. In the 2017-18 playoffs, he was on fire, including a hat-trick in the second leg of the semifinal against FC Pune City and a goal in the final against Chennaiyin FC, though BFC ultimately lost.

In the 2018-19 season, Chhetri delivered once again, scoring in the semifinal against NorthEast United FC and helping Bengaluru FC go all the way to win the ISL title. He had a quieter 2019-20 campaign as BFC bowed out to ATK FC in the semifinals. After a three-year playoff absence, the club returned to the knockouts in 2022-23, and Chhetri’s influence was immense.

That season, he netted the winner against Kerala Blasters in the knockout match and followed it with another decisive goal against Mumbai City FC in the first leg of the semifinals, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout win. He also scored in the final, although BFC fell short against MBSG once more, this time on penalties.

In the 2024-25 season, Chhetri continued his impactful run. He scored in the 5-0 knockout rout of Mumbai City FC and bagged the crucial goal in the semifinal against FC Goa, taking his playoff goal tally even higher.

Chhetri’s legacy as a clutch performer in high-stakes matches remains unshaken, and his burning desire to bring another ISL title to Bengaluru FC shows that the veteran still has unfinished business.