Indian football men’s national team captain and icon Sunil Chhetri has taken up an online course in the esteemed ISDE Law Business School to study global masters in sports management and legal skills.

The course, which already begun last month, spans for a year, following the completion of which Chhetri will receive his postgraduate degree. The course offered by the institute is in alliance with Spanish heavyweights FC Barcelona while the institute has a tie-up with FIFPRO, the worldwide representative organization for professional footballers. 

The course fee is 15000 Euros, but Chhetri has been given a complete 100% scholarship by the institute. The 37-year-old had sent his application and CV through FIFPRO’s Indian arm, Football Players Association of India, of which he is a vice-president.

“Sunil had an illustrious career of more than two decades. It was time for him to look to the future also. A degree in sports management and legal skills will definitely help him in his future endeavors,” The Telegraph reported.

“With a packed calendar every season, Sunil hardly had breathing space. But the nationwide lockdown gave him time to ponder over his future.”

The third-highest active international goalscorer joins the likes of legendary German and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, former Belgium and Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini, and former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia in pursuing further studies.

Some of the other options that Chhetri could opt for are: management of sports organizations, law offices, sports agents, sports consulting, federations, leagues, clubs, and associations.