Sunil Chhetri, the legendary figure in Indian football, has made a heartfelt announcement regarding his retirement from international football. After the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6, he will bid adieu to the national team, culminating a remarkable career marked by longevity and remarkable consistency.
It came in the form of an emotional video posted on his social media handles. Chhetri, who made his debut in 2005, leaves behind an indelible legacy having scored an impressive 94 goals for the country. He departs as India's all-time leading goal scorer and most-capped player.
He transcends national borders as he has ranked third among active players in terms of international goal-scoring, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. He has also been fourth on the all-time list of international goal-scorers, a testament to his long lasting impact on the sport.
Chhetri, 39, leaves the stage after nearly two decades of dedicated service during which he was the rock that held the national team together. Five feet seven inches tall, he always showed up with an outstanding performance whenever he wore the blue jersey for which he received admiration from his fans and peers.
"My international career will end with the game against Kuwait," Chhetri announced, making it apparent that the upcoming fixture will hold special significance.
Fittingly, his last appearance will take place at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, the city where he honed his skills and developed into a formidable striker.
India currently is second in Group A, behind leaders Qatar. Chhetri, who celebrated his 150th national appearance with a goal against Afghanistan in Guwahati recently, lost that game.
The veteran says that his international debut against Pakistan in 2005 was a dream come true. He said duty, pressure, and joy had been blended into his career; he was thankful to go through all that made him a player.
Looking ahead, Chhetri called upon the country to groom the next generation of strikers, knowing well what kind of void his retirement would create in the team. Even though he felt his playing days were going to come to an end any time soon, the retirement brought back a flood of memories and emotions.
The family responded in different ways to the news: his mother and wife were overcome with emotion, while his father felt relief and happiness.
The 150th appearance of Chhetri for the Blue Tigers was celebrated with fanfare, to say the least, and that proved the enduring legacy of the legendary footballer in Indian football history.
