Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri scored a brace to help India beat Kenya on Sunday.IANS

Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri equaled Argentina great Lionel Messi at the second spot on the list of active international goal-scorers after scoring a brace in India's 2-0 win over Kenya in the Intercontinental Cup final in Mumbai on Sunday, June 10.

The 33-year-old is tied on goals with Messi at 64, 17 behind Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Notably, in terms of average goals per match, the Bengaluru FC captain has eclipsed both the Barcelona and the Real Madrid greats.

Chhetri, with 64 goals from 102 matches, has been scoring at 0.61 while Messi has scored 64 from 125 matches at 0.52. Ronaldo has scored 81 from 149 matches at 0.54.

The celebrated Indian skipper is now joint 21st on the list of most international goals, one behind Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba. With 104 goals from 149 matches, Iran's Ali Daei leads the all-time scorers list.

Chhetri had played down comparisons with Messi and Ronaldo despite managing to be as efficient as the two global superstars when it comes to getting the goals for the national team.

"I don't take it seriously. It's not even fair. The two players who are above me are completely world stars. I am a big fan of Messi and Ronaldo. There is a massive difference between them and us. There is no comparison at all," Chettri was quoted as saying by India Today.

However, football fans on Twitter heaped praise on Chhetri, lauding the captain's contribution to the sport in the country.

Notably, the Bengaluru FC skipper, let down by a paltry crowd for the tournament opener against Chinese Taipei, took to social media and made a heartfelt plea to the fans, urging them to support the team. So did the football fans as tickets for the last three games, including the final were sold out.

IBTimes, India has compiled a list of reactions to Chhetri's record-equalling performance in the Intercontinental Cup final. Check them out here.

Chhetri was in sublime form throughout the quadrangular tournament, scoring eight goals in four matches as India clinched the maiden title.

The "captain marvel" gave India the early lead, sending the 8,990-strong crowd at the Mumbai Football Arenaa into frenzy. After winning a free-kick just outside the box, he came out of the crowd and connected Anirudh Thapa's cross to drill one into the low corner.

Chhetri doubled India's lead as in the 29th minute, chesting down a long pass from centre-back Anas Edathodika and slotting it past the Kenyan keeper, this time with his left foot.