Sunil Chhetri says he feels "a little jealous" as he backs India’s youngsters ahead of Brazil and Uruguay friendlies

Sunil Chhetri said he felt "a little jealous" watching India’s next generation as they prepare to face Brazil and Uruguay, in comments published on August 29, 2026 by Khel Now. The former India captain urged the young players to seize the opportunity and publicly supported the coaching staff over selection matters.

Chhetri, who spent nearly two decades with the national team, reflected on his playing career and the chances today's players are receiving, saying, "I feel a little jealous as a spectator. In my 24–26 years as a professional and nearly 20 years with the national team, I never got an opportunity like this," he said. He positioned himself as an observer of the current squad rather than a decision-maker.

He told the current players to stay fit, compete with determination and make the most of the occasion. Chhetri repeated that he sees the upcoming fixtures as a significant chance for the youngsters to test themselves against top opposition. His remarks emphasised opportunity for player development.

Asked about selection and the absence of certain names, Chhetri said, "The coach has to answer that. I’m just a fan now, watching like everyone else," he said. He made clear he trusts the coach and the staff to determine what the team needs and to make selection decisions accordingly.

When the possibility of returning to action was raised, Chhetri responded with humor: "I just trained for 20 minutes. I’m around 42 now, I can barely run properly and I’m struggling," he joked. That comment underlined his current distance from the national setup while keeping the tone light.

Despite not being part of the squad, Chhetri expressed confidence in the young players: "This is their time. There are so many talented youngsters in the team. Everyone gets their opportunity; just like I got mine 20 years ago," he added. He reiterated that the present group should capitalise on the fixtures to show their capabilities.

India are scheduled to play friendlies against Brazil and Uruguay, and Chhetri’s comments came in the context of those upcoming matches.