Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri praised former India cricket captain Virat Kohli for his extraordinary fitness and strong mindset. Moreover, he compared Kohli to global football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, saying both men refuse to rest on their past achievements.

Chhetri revealed that Kohli recently sent him his fitness test scores. As a result, he felt motivated to push himself harder after seeing Kohli’s dedication despite having achieved so much.

Kohli’s Fitness Inspires Chhetri

Virat Kohli skipped the BCCI pre-season fitness camp in Bengaluru since he had already completed his tests in London. Known for his strict discipline, Kohli has often said Cristiano Ronaldo inspires him to stay at the top of his game.

Furthermore, Chhetri, who shares a close bond with Kohli, explained that both athletes stand out because they never stop working toward improvement.

“A few days back, he (Kohli) was sending me his scores of one of the tests he was doing,” Chhetri said on the DesiPL podcast. “It is so addictive, and it is so good to know these kinds of people. On your bad days, when you feel a bit lethargic, you see them and think, ‘let’s go’. When you are at the top, everyone wants to be a Virat Kohli or Ronaldo, and for these two to keep their place is unbelievable.”

Never Resting on Past Glory

Additionally, Chhetri pointed out that both Kohli and Ronaldo share a rare mindset that keeps them ahead of others.

“I don’t know personally (Cristiano) Ronaldo. I have watched him, studied him. I know Virat (Kohli),” Chhetri said. “The one common thing about these two is that they are just not happy with what they have already achieved. I tried in my own way to inculcate the same thing because once you start thinking about what you have done — good or bad — you stop moving forward.”

He further added, “Whatever happened today, gaya (it is over). Otherwise, how does a Virat Kohli or Ronaldo get up and again be at their best? It is not easy. When you are successful for so long, when you have done so much, when you have won almost everything, to still get up and do what they are doing is unbelievable.”

Career Updates for Chhetri and Kohli

Earlier this year, Chhetri retired from international football after a legendary career spanning over two decades. However, former coach Manolo Marquez recalled him for the Asian Cup qualifiers in March. Later, new coach Khalid Jamil excluded him from the CAFA Nations Cup squad in August.

On the other hand, Kohli retired from Tests and T20Is to focus entirely on ODIs. Currently, he is aiming to represent India in the 2027 ODI World Cup. Earlier this year, Kohli achieved two major milestones — winning the ICC Champions Trophy and lifting his first-ever IPL title.