India's Sunil Chhetri said Wednesday comparisons with Lionel Messi are misplaced after overtaking him in number of goals, and added he remains a huge fan of the Argentine star.

Chhetri surpassed Messi's tally of 72 international goals in India's 2-0 win over Bangladesh on Monday to stand behind top-ranked Cristiano Ronaldo (103) among active players.

"The fact is there is no comparison whatsoever (with Messi)," Chhetri, who has scored 74 international goals, said from Doha.

"When anyone sees those (top goal scorer) chart, be happy for five seconds as an Indian and that's about it. Forget about me and Messi because the whole world, including me, is a fan of Messi."

Chhetri, 36, scored all two goals in India's victory in the qualifying match for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

With 73 strikes Ali Mabkhout, of the United Arab Emirates, is also above Messi -- a six-time Ballon d'Or winner widely regarded as the greatest player of the modern era.

India, who are ranked 105th in the FIFA team rankings, are already out of the race to qualify for the World Cup but can make it to the Asian Cup in China.

India's Sunil Chhetri said Wednesday comparisons with Lionel Messi are misplaced after overtaking him in number of goals, and added he remains a huge fan of the Argentine star.

India's Sunil Chhetri said Wednesday comparisons with Lionel Messi are misplaced after overtaking him in number of goals, and added he remains a huge fan of the Argentine star. Chhetri surpassed Messi's tally of 72 international goals in India's 2-0 win over Bangladesh on Monday to stand behind top-ranked Cristiano Ronaldo (103) among active players. "The fact is there is no comparison whatsoever (with Messi)," Chhetri, who has scored 74 international goals, said from Doha. "When anyone sees those (top goal scorer) chart, be happy for five seconds as an Indian and that's about it. Forget about me and Messi because the whole world, including me, is a fan of Messi." Chhetri, 36, scored all two goals in India's victory in the qualifying match for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup. With 73 strikes Ali Mabkhout, of the United Arab Emirates, is also above Messi -- a six-time Ballon d'Or winner widely regarded as the greatest player of the modern era. India, who are ranked 105th in the FIFA team rankings, are already out of the race to qualify for the World Cup but can make it to the Asian Cup in China.

Football: India's Sunil Chhetri says no comparisons with Lionel Messi

Indian football team’s captain Sunil Chhetri on Monday surpassed Argentina’s Lionel Messi to become the second-highest active international goal-scorer as the Indian talisman struck his 74th goal against Bangladesh in the joint preliminary qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup. <o:p></o:p>

The veteran Indian forward helped India register their first win in six years in World Cup qualifiers as he bagged a brace against Bangladesh to help India win 2-0. Chhetri now stands behind Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (103) in the list of active international goal-scorer.<o:p></o:p>

Chhetri leads the Barcelona ace by two goals and sits a spot above UAE’s Ali Mabkhout, who is third in the list with 73 goals under his belt. While Messi had scored his 72nd international goal for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Chile, Mabkhout netted a goal against Malaysia.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/football-from-messi-to-lewandowski-single-season-top-scorers-in-europes-five-main-leagues-386876" hreflang="en">Football: From Messi to Lewandowski: Single season top-scorers in Europe's five main leagues</a><o:p></o:p>

Chhetri scored the first goal with a thumping header against Bangladesh at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday and then sealed India’s win by sending the ball to the top corner in added time. <o:p></o:p>

This was India’s first win in World Cup qualifiers away from home in 20 years. India are now sitting third in Group E with six points in the game. However, they are out of qualification contention for 2022 FIFA World Cup, but they will try qualify for the Asian Cup in China.<o:p></o:p>

The Indian skipper is additionally a goal away from entering world football’s all-time top 10 goal-scorer. <o:p></o:p>

Indian football team’s captain Sunil Chhetri on Monday surpassed Argentina’s Lionel Messi to become the second-highest active international goal-scorer as the Indian talisman struck his 74th goal against Bangladesh in the joint preliminary qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

Indian football team’s captain Sunil Chhetri on Monday surpassed Argentina’s Lionel Messi to become the second-highest active international goal-scorer as the Indian talisman struck his 74th goal against Bangladesh in the joint preliminary qualifying round for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup. The veteran Indian forward helped India register their first win in six years in World Cup qualifiers as he bagged a brace against Bangladesh to help India win 2-0. Chhetri now stands behind Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (103) in the list of active international goal-scorer. Chhetri leads the Barcelona ace by two goals and sits a spot above UAE’s Ali Mabkhout, who is third in the list with 73 goals under his belt. While Messi had scored his 72nd international goal for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Chile, Mabkhout netted a goal against Malaysia. ALSO READ: Football: From Messi to Lewandowski: Single season top-scorers in Europe's five main leagues Chhetri scored the first goal with a thumping header against Bangladesh at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday and then sealed India’s win by sending the ball to the top corner in added time. This was India’s first win in World Cup qualifiers away from home in 20 years. India are now sitting third in Group E with six points in the game. However, they are out of qualification contention for 2022 FIFA World Cup, but they will try qualify for the Asian Cup in China. The Indian skipper is additionally a goal away from entering world football’s all-time top 10 goal-scorer.

Football: India's Sunil Chhetri surpasses Lionel Messi in major record, stands one goal away from historic feat

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Football: India's Sunil Chhetri says no comparisons with Lionel Messi

Football: India's Sunil Chhetri surpasses Lionel Messi in major record, stands one goal away from historic feat