Photographs: Jamie Squire/Getty Images Laxmi Negi
Sunil Chhetri is being labeled the poster boy of Indian football. Rightly so! With the retirement of icon Baichung Bhutia, this 27-year old has done well in shouldering a lot of responsibility.
India's captain has played in the MLS for Sporting Kansas City and is now focusing on trails with the Scottish Premier League champions Rangers FC.
Last season he donned Mohun Bagan colours in the I-League, but is yet to sign up this season.
With Euro 2012 round the corner, Chhetri tells Rediff.com's Laxmi Negi that he has his money riding on Spain winning the tournament.
Spain is my favourite for Euro crown: Chhetri
Photographs: Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Which are the most prominent teams to watch out for in this Euro?
Spain, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and France. If you check past records, these teams have been there until the semi-finals stage. They have been the most consistent teams and I am sure this Euro won't be any different.
The team you backing to win Euro is...
It's going to be Spain again (simles). It's not that the other teams are any less, but I am a huge fan of Spanish football.
With David Villa and Carlos Puyol out because of injuries, will Spain be that formidable?
Puyol is a great leader and Villa is inspirational. Their services will surely be missed, but Spain is my favourite.
'Football is incomplete without abuses'
Who will be the most impressive players this Euro?
Andres Iniesta and Ajren Robben. Robben will surely be hungry for goals.
The tournament's dark horse?
It should be England. It is time they win major silverware. The injury to Frank Lampard will be a huge blow. He is 33 and has been playing for the past 11 months. An injury just before a crucial tournament is saddening; but that's a part and parcel of the game.
A lot of players are targeted with racism. What is your take on it?
Football is incomplete without abuses. And these are things that cannot be checked. A referee will go on with the game even when a striker is having a good one-on-one with the goalkeeper. These things have been going on and will continue. Being abusive and racist is different. The two things cannot be gelled together. It is not good on somebody's part to differentiate between caste, colour and creed.
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