At 41 years and 196 days, Sunil Chhetri rewrote another chapter of Indian football history.
When the Bengaluru FC captain came off the bench in the 78th minute against Sporting Club Delhi in the Indian Super League 2025–26 opener, few would have predicted that he was about to set a new benchmark for longevity in the competition. But in stoppage time at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Chhetri did what he has done for nearly two decades deliver when it mattered.
His long-range finish sealed a 2–0 victory for Bengaluru FC and made him the oldest goalscorer in ISL history, surpassing the previous record held by former French international Robert Pires.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
The goal arrived in the 92nd minute. Sporting Club Delhi goalkeeper Vishal Yadav had ventured off his line in an attempt to clear a forward ball. Chhetri anticipated the moment perfectly, evaded the challenge, and from distance calmly struck into an open net. It was his first goal of the season, but more importantly, it was a reminder of his enduring football intelligence the positioning, awareness and composure that have defined his career.
At 41 years and 196 days, Chhetri eclipsed Robert Pires, who had scored for FC Goa at 41 years and 15 days during the 2014–15 season.
Oldest Goalscorers in ISL History
Here is how the list now stands:
- Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC) – 41 years, 196 days
- Robert Pires (FC Goa) – 41 years, 15 days
- Alessandro Del Piero (Delhi Dynamos) – 40 years, 1 month
- Mikael Silvestre (Chennaiyin FC) – 37 years, 4 months, 7 days
- David Trezeguet (FC Pune City) – 37 years, 15 days
The early years of the ISL were defined by global marquee signings nearing the twilight of their careers. Pires, Del Piero and Trezeguet were symbolic of that phase decorated European stars lending glamour to a young league.
Chhetri’s record is fundamentally different.
He is not a fading icon imported for nostalgia. He is a domestic talisman who has evolved with the league, sustained elite performance levels, and continues to influence matches at the highest domestic level.
Professional football at 41 is rare. Scoring goals at that age is rarer still.
What sets Chhetri apart is not merely physical endurance but adaptation. Over the years, he has transitioned from a mobile striker reliant on pace to a cerebral forward who reads space, times runs, and capitalises on defensive errors. Against Sporting Club Delhi, Bengaluru FC had already taken the lead through Sivasakthi Narayanan before halftime. The match demanded control in the closing stages, not frantic pressing. Chhetri’s introduction was tactical to exploit tiring defenders and add experience in game management.
His goal was a product of instinct and awareness rather than explosive athleticism. It underlined how elite footballing intelligence can compensate for the natural physical regression that accompanies age.
Symbolism Beyond the Stat
This milestone carries deeper resonance for Indian football.
The ISL 2025–26 season began after a period of uncertainty around the league’s structure and governance. There were questions about commercial stability and the direction of the domestic pyramid. In that context, Chhetri’s record-breaking goal felt symbolic a reminder of continuity amid change.
Few players have embodied Indian football’s modern journey like him. From the early I-League era to the birth and growth of the ISL, he has remained central to the narrative. For Bengaluru FC, founded in 2013 and one of the league’s most professionally run clubs, Chhetri’s longevity reflects institutional culture as well. The club has consistently prioritised sports science, conditioning and squad management elements that enable veterans to extend careers. Age in football is often unforgiving. Recovery cycles lengthen. Muscle fatigue sets in faster. Speed diminishes. Yet Chhetri continues to deliver.
In the previous ISL season, he remained one of Bengaluru’s key contributors in crucial phases. His professionalism diet discipline, recovery protocols, strength conditioning has allowed him to compete with players nearly half his age. It is also worth noting that unlike some foreign legends who spent a single ISL season in India, Chhetri’s record comes after years of sustained domestic competition. That longevity amplifies its significance.
Records are not just statistics; they shape league identity.
When Pires set his mark in 2014–15, the ISL was still establishing itself. Now, over a decade later, a homegrown footballer leads the longevity charts. That transition mirrors the league’s maturation from imported spectacle to locally driven competition. Young Indian forwards watching from the stands or from academies across the country see a pathway defined not just by early promise but by sustained excellence.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
As the ball rolled into the net in stoppage time at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, it was more than a second goal in a comfortable 2–0 win.
It was a moment that bridged eras. From the league’s glamour-driven infancy to its current competitive depth, Chhetri has been present throughout. And now, at 41 years and 196 days, he stands alone at the top of a unique statistical summit. In a sport obsessed with youth, speed and renewal, Sunil Chhetri has shown that intelligence, discipline and hunger can stretch the boundaries of time.
And in doing so, he has once again given Indian football a milestone to remember.
