# Chanathip Songkrasin

Chanathip Songkrasin (Thai: ชนาธิป สรงกระสินธ์, pronounced; born 5 October 1993), is a Thai professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Thai League 1 club BG Pathum United.
Chanathip is known to be one of the best footballers in the Southeast Asia continent. His style of play as a diminutive, left-footed dribbler drew career-long comparisons with Lionel Messi where he is known as the 'Asian Messi'.

## Club career
### BEC Tero Sasana

Chanathip was promoted to the BEC Tero Sasana first team squad by new coach Andrew Ord who had also been his youth team coach. His first senior team goal came on 6 May, in a match against Thai Port in the Thai League 1, which gave BEC Tero Sasana a 2–0 win. In early 2013 Chanathip had an offer from J.League side Gamba Osaka. At the end of the season, he won the TPL Young Player of the Year.
In mid-October Shimizu S-Pulse of the J.League offered him a trial at the end of the 2013 season. In late October it was reported directly from BEC Tero Sasana's general manager Robert Procureur that Bundesliga club Hamburg would give Chanathip a trial at the end of the 2014 Bundesliga season and if he succeeded he would be the second Thai player to play in the Bundesliga after Witthaya Laohakul.

### Muangthong United

On 27 January 2016, it was announced that Chanathip, along with his BEC Tero teammates Peerapat Notchaiya and Tanaboon Kesarat, would be joining Muangthong United on loan for the 2016 season. Chanathip netted his first goal for Muangthong United on 1 May 2016 when he scored from Tristan Do's cross in the 18th minute, in what turned out to be the only goal in a victory over Chonburi. Chanathip later permanently joined Muangthong United for an undisclosed fee. He helped his club to win the 2016 Thai League and 2016 Thai League Cup in his first season.
Chanathip Songkrasin produced a strong performance in the 2017 AFC Champions League group stage in the first two games against Australian club Brisbane Roar and Japanese club Kashima Antlers, from which Muangthong United managed to collect four points. He was named man of the match for both games.

### Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo

In December 2016, it was announced that Chanathip would be joining the newly promoted J.League side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the summer of 2017 on loan from Muangthong United, lasting for a season and a half. Chanathip was officially presented by Consadole Sapporo on 11 January 2017. This loan followed Chanathip's impressive performances during the 2016 AFF Championship in addition to being scouted by Consadole Sapporo previously. Chanathip played the first half of the 2017 season with his parent club, Muangthong United, before heading to Sapporo, Japan, in July 2017.
On 26 July 2017, Chanathip made his debut for Consadole Sapporo in 2017 J.League Cup against Cerezo Osaka as a substitute replacing Ryota Hayasaka in the 46th minute. On 29 July 2017, he was part of the starting lineup in a J1 League match against Urawa Red Diamonds, his first ever league appearance. Besides, he became the first Thai footballer appearing in the top tier of Japan's professional football league system (Previously, other Thais only appeared in Japanese football semi-professional top tier or professional lower tiers.). His first J-League goal came through a header in a 3–3 draw at Cerezo Osaka on 2 March 2018.
On 13 July 2018, Chanathip signed a contract with Consadole Sapporo, making him a permanent Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo player until 1 February 2019.
On 3 December 2018, after leading Consadole Sapporo to a record high fourth-place finish in 2018 J1 League, Chanathip was voted by his teammates as the team's most valuable player of the season. After that, he was announced as one of the players in J.League team of the season, being the first ever Southeast Asian to achieve this feat.

### Kawasaki Frontale

On 11 January 2022, Chanathip joined Kawasaki Frontale with a transfer fee of around $3.8 million, breaking the J.League record for the highest domestic transfer. He make his debut for the club on 18 February in a 1–0 win against FC Tokyo. On 12 March, he assist Marcinho in a match against Nagoya Grampus which is the only goal in the match which resulted in a win. Chanathip scored his first goal for the club during the 2022 AFC Champions League match in a 8–0 thrashing win against Chinese club Guangzhou on 18 April.

### BG Pathum United

In June 2023, Chanathip returned to the Thai League 1, signing with BG Pathum United. He make his debut for the club on 11 August in a 2–2 draw against Police Tero.
Chanathip then scored his first league goal since 2017 in a 2–0 away win against Uthai Thani on 28 August. During the 2023–24 AFC Champions League, Chanathip scored a brace against his former club Kawasaki Frontale in a 4–2 away lost on 7 November where he was greeted with warm reception from the Japanese fans. On 16 June 2024, he helped the club to win the 2023–24 Thai League Cup.

## International career
### Youth

Chanathip started his international stage with Thailand U19, he played latest in 2012 AFC U-19 Championship. At the age of under-23, he represented Thailand U23 in the 2013 Southeast Asian Games and also 2014 Asian Games.

### Senior

In the top level, Chanathip was first called up by Thailand national team head coach Winfried Schäfer to compete in the 2012 King's Cup, and debuted in this tournament. He continued to be called to 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup squad. At 19 years old, he was the youngest player who called by Winfried Schäfer.
In February 2013, Chanathip scored his first goal for the first team against Kuwait in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification which ended up 1-3 lost against Kuwait. After that game, he scored another goal in a friendly match against China.
In 2014, Chanathip was a part of Thailand's winning squad for the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup. During the tournament Chanathip scored the first goal in the 3–0 win over the Philippines in the semi-finals and assisted second goal for Kroekrit Thaweekarn in a 2–0 victory over Malaysia in the first leg of the final. He also scored the last goal in the second leg to cement Thailand's place on the trophy. Afterwards he was named best player of the tournament and became the youngest AFF Suzuki Cup MVP at the age of 21.
In May 2015, he was called up by Thailand to play in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Vietnam. The same year, Chanathip won the 2015 Southeast Asian Games with Thailand U23.
In December 2016, Chanathip again led Thailand to the title of 2016 AFF Championship, the fifth title of his nation. He was also awarded another Most Valuable Player and became the first player to win it twice.
He was named into the Thai squad participating in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. After an unpromising performance against India in the first match, where he silenced as Thailand suffered a 1–4 shock loss, he returned to prominence, scoring one goal as Thailand overcame Bahrain and holding host UAE to reach the round of sixteen for the first time since 1972 competition.
In December 2021, Chanathip was named captain for Thailand in the 2020 AFF Championship, winning the championship for the sixth time for his nation. He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the tournament, winning it for the third time.
After the retirement of captain Theerathon Bunmathan from the national team, Chanathip was named as captain for the national team in the 2024 King's Cup. On 11 October 2024, He was instrumental in the match against Philippines where he scored a goal in a 3–1 win which sees Thailand advance to the final. In the final, Chanathip scored a 90+1' minute goal which puts Thailand in a 2–1 win against Syria where it secures Thailand their 16th title.

## Style of play

Chanathip usually plays in the position of attacking midfielder who provides the chance for his front line. He is known for his pace, agility, and dribbles that can handle 1-3 opponents while in possession and can play both feet. Chanathip also has the special threat of powerful and accurate shots from outside the box. Gongphop Songkrasin, Chanathip's father, and his first trainer later revealed that he was supposed to train his son with the style of his idol Diego Maradona.
Due to his short stature, Chanathip has a lower centre of gravity than taller players, which gives him greater agility, allowing him to change direction more quickly and evade opposing tackles. His short, strong legs allow him to excel in short bursts of acceleration while his quick feet enable him to retain control of the ball when dribbling at speed. Chanathip pace and technical ability enable him to undertake individual dribbling runs towards goal, in particular during counterattacks, usually starting from the halfway line or the right side of the pitch.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of mach played 28 August 2024
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Asia | Asia | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| BEC Tero Sasana | 2012 | Thai Premier League | 28 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 33 | 4 |
| BEC Tero Sasana | 2013 | Thai Premier League | 26 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 28 | 3 |
| BEC Tero Sasana | 2014 | Thai Premier League | 27 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 32 | 4 |
| BEC Tero Sasana | 2015 | Thai Premier League | 23 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 25 | 2 |
| BEC Tero Sasana | Total | Total | 104 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 118 | 13 |
| Muangthong United | 2016 | Thai League T1 | 27 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 3 |
| Muangthong United | 2017 | Thai League T1 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 3 |
| Muangthong United | Total | Total | 44 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 60 | 6 |
| Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | 2017 | J1 League | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 17 | 0 |
| Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | 2018 | J1 League | 30 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 31 | 9 |
| Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | 2019 | J1 League | 28 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 30 | 4 |
| Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | 2020 | J1 League | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 1 |
| Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | 2021 | J1 League | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 25 | 1 |
| Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo | Total | Total | 115 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 123 | 16 |
| Kawasaki Frontale | 2022 | J1 League | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 2 |
| Kawasaki Frontale | 2023 | J1 League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 1 |
| Kawasaki Frontale | Total | Total | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 3 |
| BG Pathum United | 2023–24 | Thai League 1 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 54 | 9 |
| BG Pathum United | 2024–25 | Thai League 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| BG Pathum United | Total | Total | 27 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 59 | 10 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 308 | 38 | 7 | 2 | 28 | 3 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 386 | 48 |
* ↑ Includes Thai FA Cup, Emperor's Cup
* ↑ Includes Thai League Cup, J.League Cup
* 1 2 3 4 Appearances in AFC Champions League
* ↑ Appearance in Kor Royal Cup
* ↑ Appearance in Thailand Champions Cup
* ↑ Appearance in Japanese Super Cup
* ↑ Appearances in ASEAN Club Championship

### International

    As of match played 14 October 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Thailand | 2012 | 3 | 0 |
| Thailand | 2013 | 4 | 2 |
| Thailand | 2014 | 6 | 2 |
| Thailand | 2015 | 4 | 0 |
| Thailand | 2016 | 14 | 1 |
| Thailand | 2017 | 4 | 0 |
| Thailand | 2018 | 4 | 0 |
| Thailand | 2019 | 10 | 3 |
| Thailand | 2021 | 6 | 4 |
| Thailand | 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| Thailand | 2023 | 5 | 0 |
| Thailand | 2024 | 5 | 2 |
| Total | Total | 68 | 14 |
International goals
    Scores and results list Thailand's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 6 February 2013 | Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Kuwait | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 2. | 15 June 2013 | Hefei Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Hefei, China | China | 4–1 | 5–1 | Friendly |
| 3. | 10 December 2014 | Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Philippines | 1–0 | 3–0 | 2014 AFF Championship |
| 4. | 20 December 2014 | Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Malaysia | 2–3 | 2–3 | 2014 AFF Championship |
| 5. | 8 December 2016 | Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Myanmar | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2016 AFF Championship |
| 6. | 10 January 2019 | Al-Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Bahrain | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2019 AFC Asian Cup |
| 7. | 21 March 2019 | Guangxi Sports Center, Nanning, China | China | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2019 China Cup |
| 8. | 14 November 2019 | Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Malaysia | 1–0 | 1–2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 9. | 23 December 2021 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | Vietnam | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2020 AFF Championship |
| 10. | 23 December 2021 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | Vietnam | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2020 AFF Championship |
| 11. | 29 December 2021 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | Indonesia | 1–0 | 4–0 | 2020 AFF Championship |
| 12. | 29 December 2021 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore | Indonesia | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2020 AFF Championship |
| 13. | 11 October 2024 | Tinsulanon Stadium, Songkhla, Thailand | Philippines | 1–0 | 3–1 | 2024 King's Cup |
| 14. | 14 October 2024 | Tinsulanon Stadium, Songkhla, Thailand | Syria | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2024 King's Cup |

## Honours
### Club

BEC Tero Sasana
* Thai League Cup: 2014
Muangthong United
* Thai League 1: 2016
* Thai League Cup: 2016
* Thailand Champions Cup: 2017
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
* J.League Cup runner-up: 2019
BG Pathum United
* Thai League Cup: 2023–24

### International

Thailand U19
* AFF U-19 Youth Championship: 2011
Thailand U23
* SEA Games: 2013, 2015
Thailand
* AFF Championship: 2014, 2016, 2020
* King's Cup: 2016, 2024

### Individual

* Thai Premier League Young player of the Year: 2012
* AFF Championship Best eleven: 2014, 2016, 2020, 2022
* ASEAN Football Federation Best XI: 2017
* AFF Championship All-time XI
* AFF Championship Most Valuable Player: 2014, 2016, 2020
* AFF Men's Player of the Year: 2015, 2017
* FA Thailand President Award: 2017
* FA Thailand Men's Player of the Year: 2018
* Consadole Sapporo Most Valuable Player: 2018
* Sapporo Dome Most Valuable Player: 2018
* J.League Best XI: 2018
* AFF Championship Top Scorer: 2020
Orders
* Silver Medalist (Seventh Class) of The Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn: 2015