Bhachung Bhutia Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri [R] shares a million-dollar moment with India legend Bhaiching Bhutia [L]AIFF Media

August 3 is not just any other day for Indian football fans, it is the day a captain was born in Secunderabad. The captain did not only go on to become the highest scorer for the national football team, but also earned the title  of one of the best as years passed on.

Former East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and current Bengaluru FC talisman Sunil Chhetri turned 31 today.

The star forward, who became the most expensive domestic player in Indian Super League history, after getting picked up by Mumbai City FC for ₹1.20crore, has attracted numerous wishes on his birthday today.

Chhetri currently has 50 goals for India – as many as eight goals more than Indian legend Bhaichung Bhutia. And the goals came from just 87 appearances.

The performance of Chhetri for the senior national side over the years has been simply amazing. He helped India clinch three Nehru Cups [2007, 2009, and 2012], as well as the SAFF Championship in 2011.

His personal achievements have also been remarkable. The 31-year-old is the only Indian footballer to win the AIFF Player of the Year on four occasions – 2007, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

His club honours include three I-League titles – with Dempo [2009-10], with Churchill Brothers [2012-13], and with Bengaluru FC [2013-14].

The achievements of the star striker also earned him a mention in the United Kingdom-based magazine 'World Soccer' earlier this year, as one of the top 500 footballers in the world. He shared the list alongside superstars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Here's how his fans and football loyalists wished him in twitter -