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Bhaichung Bhutia, India footballer: Profile, Career, News & Videos

Bhaichung Bhutia
Bhaichung Bhutia
India
15 December 1976
striker
Bhaichung Bhutia , also spelled as Baichung Bhutia, is an Indian former professional footballer who played as a striker. Bhutia is considered as the torchbearer of Indian football in the international arena. He is often nicknamed the Sikkimese Sniper because of his shooting skills in football. Three-time Indian Player of the Year I. M. Vijayan described Bhutia as \"God's gift to Indian football\".

Bhutia has had four spells at then I-League side East Bengal FC, the club where he started his career. When he joined English club Bury in 1999, he became the first Indian footballer to sign a contract with a European club and only the second to play professionally in Europe, after Mohammed Salim. Afterwards he had a short loan spell at the Malaysian football club Perak FA. He has also played for JCT Mills, which won the league once during his tenure; and Mohun Bagan, which failed to win the league once during his two spells, in his native India. His international footballing honours include winning the Nehru Cup, LG Cup, SAFF Championship three times and the AFC Challenge Cup. He is also India's second most capped player, with 80 international caps to his name.

Off the field, Bhutia is known for winning the reality television programme Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, which caused much controversy with his then-club Mohun Bagan, and for being the first Indian athlete to boycott the Olympic torch relay in support of the Tibetan independence movement. Bhutia, who has a football stadium named after him in honour of his contribution to Indian football (first player to have such honour while he is still playing), has also won many awards, such as the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri.

In October 2010, he founded Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools in Delhi in partnership with football by Carlos Queiroz and Nike. In August 2011, Bhutia announced his retirement from international football. His farewell match was with the India national team on 10 January 2012 against Bayern Munich at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi.

Bhutia in the general election of All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the president post; lost 33–1 to Kalyan Chaubey. He also served as president of the Sikkim Football Association.

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📋 Profile & Career

: Bhutia in 2012
⚽ Personal information:
Full name: Bhaichung Bhutia
Date of birth: (1976-12-15) 15 December 1976 (age 49)
Place of birth: Tinkitam, Sikkim, India
Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position: Striker
⚽ Senior career*:
Years: Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1995: East Bengal 9 (17)
1995–1997: JCT 20 (15)
1997–1999: East Bengal 31 (15)
1999–2002: Bury 37 (8)
2002–2003: Mohun Bagan 11 (6)
2003: → Perak (loan) 8 (4)
2003–2005: East Bengal 38 (21)
2005: Selangor MK Land 5 (3)
2005–2006: East Bengal 16 (12)
2006–2009: Mohun Bagan 45 (19)
2009–2011: East Bengal 3 (2)
2012–2013: United Sikkim 3 (1)
2015: East Bengal 0 (0)
Total: 227 (128)
⚽ International career:
1992–1996: India U23 4 (3)
1995–2011: India 84 (27)
⚽ Managerial career:
2012: United Sikkim
2018: Sikkim

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📰 Google News (RSS)

Bhaichung Bhutia bats for rebuilding Indian football from scratch, cites lapses in system - Telegraph India

Bhaichung’s East Bengal wins Veterans’ Exhibition Match #Gallery - Social News XYZ

Lucknow to host BBFS scouting trials for young football talent on January 18 - The Statesman

Video | Messi Mania, But Is Indian Football Being Ignored? Bhaichung Bhutia Reacts - NDTV

  • NDTV
  • Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Bhaichung Bhutia criticizes Messi India tour chaos, says mismanagement hurt fans and India’s image - StoryBoard 18

Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia strongly criticises chaos in Lionel Messi's Kolkata event: 'Sport - Times of India

Bhaichung Bhutia slams AIFF as ‘circus’, accuses Kalyan Chaubey of mismanagement; president hits back, cal - The Economic Times

Bhaichung Bhutia calls chaos at Messi’s Kolkata event ‘disappointing’ - The Hindu

  • The Hindu
  • Sun, 14 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Sports must get priority, says Bhaichung Bhutia after Messi's chaotic India tour - India Today

Kalyan Chaubey Press Conference: Bhaichung Bhutia slammed, OCI issue discussed but Indian football's main problems ignored - Firstpost

  • Firstpost
  • Fri, 13 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMT

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