Rising Indian defender Bijay Chhetri has returned to Indian football after an eventful nine-month stint in Uruguay, where he became the first Indian footballer to sign a professional contract with a Latin American club, joining Colón FC on loan from Chennaiyin FC.
The 22-year-old from Manipur, who began his football journey with Shillong Lajong before featuring for Indian Arrows, Chennai City, Real Kashmir, and Sreenidi Deccan, made his Mumbai City FC debut last night in the Super Cup 2025. Mumbai kicked off their campaign in style, thrashing Sporting Club Delhi 4–1 in Goa. Bijay came off the bench in the 76th minute, marking a fresh chapter in his football journey.
Reflecting on his new beginning, Bijay said,
“Mumbai is a top club in India, so it was a dream for me to play here. When I got the opportunity, it really felt like a dream come true.”
While his Uruguay move to Colón FC had generated excitement, things didn’t go as planned. Despite training hard and making it to the matchday squad several times, Bijay struggled for consistent game time. Loneliness and communication barriers compounded the challenge, ultimately prompting his decision to return home.
“I went to Uruguay to learn and improve my football. Everything was going well there, but I had communication issues, and I was missing my family. So, after nine months, I decided to return,” he said.
Bijay’s time in Uruguay, however, was far from wasted. The young defender trained and competed in a World Cup–playing nation, experiencing football at a higher intensity.
“The football there is tough — they play physical and fast. The facilities are better too. I used to be in the matchday squad, but it was hard to break into the playing XI. Centre-back is a tough position to replace, and I think communication problems played a role. Still, I got a few matches, and the experience was invaluable.”
Having returned to India, Bijay believes he has grown as a professional.
“Now I’ve gained a lot of experience. I’ve learned to play tougher football and become more professional. I can feel that I’ve improved, and I’m confident that the struggles I faced there will help me in the future.”
Drawing comparisons with Sunil Chhetri, who transformed into a more complete footballer after his return from Sporting Lisbon, Bijay said it’s up to him to make the most of this phase.
“It depends on me how I move ahead from this stage of my career,” he said.
Encouraging other Indian footballers to explore opportunities abroad, Bijay offered a realistic perspective:
“Of course, Indian players should try to play in clubs abroad, but it won’t be easy. They’ll have to struggle — the comfort we get in India isn’t there. The salaries are often less than in the I-League unless you’re in the top division. But the learning experience is worth it.”
Bijay Chhetri’s journey from Manipur to Montevideo and now Mumbai is a testament to resilience and ambition. While his South American adventure may not have gone perfectly, the lessons he brings back could prove vital as he begins his new chapter in Indian football.
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