The story, however, had begun differently. Chhetri made his professional debut with ‘A’ division club Delhi Cantt while Amit started out at a Super division team - Youngman. “In our batch he was the most-talented by some distance. He was quite easily the best player in Delhi when in top form. We’re just learning the game,” says Chhetri.

Chhetri says there were a number of reasons that saw the two run away from each other on the football field. “He was also picked in the India junior team for Malaysia. But he didn’t have the passport. He has been a bit unlucky all through while he also had himself to blame. He’s just didn’t get the right exposure for so many reasons. I have been lucky in this respect,” Chhetri adds.

After missing the U-16 India team, Amit was picked by the Tata Football Academy. The second opportunity was blown away due to ignorance - he didn’t know what the TFA was all about. “We weren’t too serious about India under-16 camp in Kolkata. We went for traveling and shopping. I lied that I had a passport when they said I have been picked. But later they found out the truth and gave me two days to arrange it.

It was too late. Later when I got the offer from the Tata Football Academy, I didn’t join it as I had no idea of the academy. I was only a 15-year old boy and had little knowledge of these things. But I didn’t get a single opportunity after this. The DSA officials didn’t help me either. Now they don’t like me as I keep on pointing out their mistakes,” says Amit.

The Delhi Soccer Association appreciates the prodigy that was wasted, asserting “bad company” did the damage. The soccer body also opens up a new angle to the passport issue. “At his time he was one of the best mid-fielders of Delhi. But for whatever happened he has himself to blame. I waited for four hours to get his passport. And when it was made, he didn’t come to take it. In one of the trials he came drunk. It’s the company where he (Amit) and Chhetri have grown up in that made the difference. From one of the most gifted players he has become one of the most undisciplined.”