Explanations:Indian football has produced several notable players who have made significant contributions to the sport, both domestically and internationally. Among these players, Sunil Chhetri stands out for his exceptional goal-scoring record in international matches. The question asks about an Indian football player who became the joint second highest international goal scorer among active players, alongside the Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
Sunil Chhetri, born on October 2, 1985, in Bangalore, India, is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for the Indian national team. He has been a key player for the Indian national team for over a decade, contributing significantly to the team's success in various international tournaments. Chhetri's goal-scoring prowess has been a major factor in his success, and he has consistently scored goals in international matches, which has led to his high ranking among active international goal scorers.
Chhetri's achievement of becoming the joint second highest international goal scorer among active players is a testament to his skill, consistency, and longevity in the sport. This milestone is based on his goal-scoring record in official international matches, which includes friendlies, qualifiers, and tournaments. His goal-scoring record is a significant achievement for Indian football, as it places him among the elite goal scorers in the world.
It is important to note that the question specifically asks about active players, which means that the player must still be actively playing for their national team. This criterion rules out retired players or those who are no longer active in international football. Baichung Bhutia, for example, is a well-known Indian football player, but he is not an active player and therefore does not meet the criteria of the question.
Subrata Pal, another option, is a former Indian football player known for his goalkeeping skills. While he has made significant contributions to Indian football, he is not an active player and has not achieved the milestone of being the joint second highest international goal scorer. Similarly, Robin Singh is not a well-known Indian football player in the context of international goal-scoring records and does not match the criteria of the question.
In conclusion, Sunil Chhetri is the correct answer because he has achieved the milestone of being the joint second highest international goal scorer among active players, alongside Lionel Messi. This achievement is based on his consistent performance and goal-scoring record in international matches, making him a significant figure in Indian football.