Paying glowing tributes to his father-in-law and Mohun Bagan great Subrata Bhattacharya, India captain Sunil Chhetri on Saturday said it was the former India defender who taught him how to be passionate about the sport.

Chhetri, who began his professional club football under coach Bhattacharya at Mohun Bagan in 2002, was here to attend a function to celebrate Bhattacharya’s life. The club celebrates July 29 as Mohun Bagan Day.

“I always heard everyone saying Bablu da (as Bhattacharya is popularly known in football circles) was a top player, he was like this or that. But I was not born then, and there are not many videos of his era. I’m sorry I can’t add much to it,” Chhetri said in his address.

“But I just want to say one thing: When I first came here to play in 2002, at this very ground, I didn’t know what it meant to play for Mohun Bagan, the club’s legacy, the feeling for the jersey...

“I didn’t know all this. If there was one man who taught me all this, it is this man,” he said pointing at his former coach, who was sitting behind him on the dais with his wife Lata and club officials.

“He just told me, in good or bad times, play football, forget everything, just think about football. There are so many things which are good about him...

“But most importantly what I’ve learnt is no matter what, give your best, no matter what play for the club, no matter what play for the jersey. I will never forget that,” added Chhetri.

Chhetri, who turns 39 in a few days, married Bhattacharya’s daughter Sonam in December 2017.

Continuing his praise for Bhattacharya, the Bengaluru FC captain said: “You guys always say ‘Joy Mohun Bagan’. But I know how much you love your club, and feel for your club. Very few people I know who feel for Mohun Bagan, the way he (Bhattacharya) feels,” he signed off.

The main Mohun Bagan Day function will be held on Sunday at the club ground where former India midfielder Gautam Sarkar will be conferred with the Mohun Bagan Ratna.