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Bhaichung Bhutia made 107 appearances for India, scoring 42 goals, and was dubbed ‘the Sikkimese Sniper’ for his sharp shooting skills.
Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia, along with two other legends, IM Vijayan and Sunil Chhetri. (Image: bhaichung15/Instagram)
Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia rings in his 48th birthday today, on December 15. The Sikkim-born developed a passion for the sport during his school days. To put his entire focus on football, Bhutia left his studies at the age of 16 and joined East Bengal. He kicked off his professional career with the Kolkata-based club in 1993.
Two years later, he played his first match in the India jersey. Bhutia made his international debut against Thailand in the 1995 Nehru Cup. In 1999, he became the first Indian footballer to sign for a European club – Bury FC in Manchester.
Bhutia played for Malaysian side Perak FA on loan in 2003 when he was contracted with Mohun Bagan. Bhutia rejoined East Bengal and stayed there until 2006 before returning to Mohun Bagan again.
He came back to East Bengal in the twilight phase of his career and retired from there in 2015. Bhutia spent four years at United Sikkim as well.
For the Indian national team, Bhaichung Bhutia made 107 appearances – the second most after Sunil Chhetri’s 151.
Bhutia found the net 42 times in the blue jersey. He has scored many long-rangers during his illustrious career. For his impressive shooting skills and accuracy, Bhutia was nicknamed ‘the Sikkimese Sniper.’
He bid adieu to international football in 2011. To celebrate his farewell, an exhibition match was organised against Bayern Munich in 2012.
Lesser-Known Facts About Bhaichung Bhutia
- Bhaichung Bhutia became India’s youngest goal scorer, striking against Uzbekistan in the 1995 Nehru Cup at the age of 18 years 90 days. The record was later broken by Jerry Zirsanga.
- Bhutia was the first player to score a hat-trick in the iconic Kolkata derby. He registered three goals in the 1997 Federation Cup semi-final, which East Bengal won 4-1.
- Bhutia remains the only Indian footballer to score five goals in a single match. He achieved the feat against Philippine Army FC and helped East Bengal secure a 6-0 win.
- Bhutia claimed the Golden Boot award in the 2003 ASEAN Club Championship where his team East Bengal emerged as the champions.
- Bhutia netted eight goals for English side Bury FC despite dealing with a persistent knee injury during that period.
- In 2014, Bhutia was inducted into the Asian Football Hall of Fame along with nine other footballers.
- Apart from the ASEAN title, Bhutia won the National Football League two times for East Bengal. He also helped the Kolkata giants lift two Federation Cups and triumph in the Calcutta Football League more than 15 times.
- A stadium named after him was built in Namchi, Sikkim when Bhutia was still an active player.
- For his immense contributions to Indian football, Bhutia was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 1988, the Padma Shri in 2008 and Padma Bhushan in 2014.
- In 2009, Bhutia appeared in a dance reality show – Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. He was then playing for Mohun Bagan.
