Bhaichung Bhutia net worth: The football icon had Rs 127 crore in assets in 2024, including Rs 124 crore in property

Bhaichung Bhutia’s playing career made him one of the most recognizable names in Indian football. But his 2024 election affidavit reveals another side of his journey: a substantial portfolio of property, investments, vehicles and other assets built around and beyond football.

According to the affidavit filed for the Sikkim Legislative Assembly election, Bhutia declared gross assets of about Rs 127.23 crore and liabilities of about Rs 3.51 crore, putting his approximate net assets at Rs 123.72 crore. The largest component was immovable property, whose declared market value was Rs 124.18 crore.

His biggest asset is real estate

Bhutia's affidavit lists Rs 124.18 crore in immovable assets, making property by far the largest part of his declared wealth.


The affidavit's summary breaks that property portfolio into:

• Inherited immovable assets: approximately Rs 79.11 crore
• Self-acquired immovable assets: approximately Rs 45.07 crore
• Total immovable assets: approximately Rs 124.18 crore

The properties include agricultural land and other holdings in Sikkim, along with properties in and around Kolkata and North Bengal.

The affidavit records multiple parcels of agricultural land, with the individual entries showing different purchase dates and declared purchase costs. Their current market values are substantially higher than their original acquisition costs.

He also declared Rs 3.05 crore in movable assets

Bhutia's movable assets were declared at Rs 3,05,14,064, or roughly Rs 3.05 crore.

The portfolio includes bank deposits across several accounts, shares and investments, a life-insurance policy, Audi Q7, Toyota Innova, gold jewellery, and household assets. The affidavit lists the Audi Q7 at a declared value of Rs 27 lakh and the Toyota Innova at Rs 19.9 lakh.

His gold jewellery was declared at Rs 3.75 lakh, while other household assets, including items such as furniture, TV and AC, were valued at approximately Rs 22.15 lakh.

His income has remained substantial after retirement

Bhutia's affidavit shows reported annual income of Rs 61.47 lakh for FY 2022-23, compared with Rs 36.40 lakh in FY 2018-19.

The affidavit describes his occupation as self-employed/businessman and identifies his income sources as including business, professional fees, salary, agriculture and interest income.

So, what is Bhaichung Bhutia's net worth?

Based on the affidavit, in 2024 he had:

• Immovable assets: Rs 124.18 crore
• Movable assets: Rs 3.05 crore
• Gross declared assets: approximately Rs 127.23 crore
• Liabilities: approximately Rs 3.51 crore
• Approximate net assets: Rs 123.72 crore

From footballer to football entrepreneur

Bhutia's financial journey is closely connected to what he learned during his pioneering spell in English football.

In 1999, he became the first Indian footballer to sign professionally with a European club when he joined Bury FC in England. His experience there exposed him to a more structured football ecosystem, including systems for developing young players.

That experience later informed his involvement in football development in India.

He was involved in the creation of Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS), which turned his name and football expertise into a broader sports-development business.

Bhutia's rise began in Sikkim before he became a national football icon. He emerged as one of India's most prominent players during the 1990s and became the country's first genuine footballing star to make the leap into European professional football.

His European experience was relatively brief, but historically significant.

After returning to India, he continued to play at the highest domestic level, represented the national team and became one of the defining figures of Indian football.

His career also included a stint as the face of several commercial and entertainment ventures, helping turn football fame into a broader public profile.