In a heartfelt announcement that has left fans and followers of Indian football emotional, Sunil Chhetri, the captain of the Indian football team, has declared his retirement from international football.
The Announcement
Chhetri made the announcement through a video posted on social media, stating that India’s upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifier game against Kuwait on June 6 will be his last. “One last game… for all our sakes…let’s win the game and we can depart, happily,” he said in the video.
The Legacy
Chhetri, 39, has played for India for 19 years, scoring his first goal during his debut match in 2005. He is among the country’s most celebrated players, credited with shining a spotlight on Indian football nationally and internationally, amidst a cricket-centric culture.
The Record
At the moment, he holds the record of being the third-highest scorer of international goals among active footballers, after Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. He has played 150 times for India and has scored 94 goals in a career spanning almost 20 years.
The Tributes
Tributes have been pouring in on social media, with many fans expressing their gratitude for his contribution to Indian football. “End of an era” is sometimes used loosely in sport, but for Indian Football, doesn’t get truer than this. Sunil Chhetri – captain, leader, legend – announces retirement,” one fan said.
The Awards
In India, he has won several football awards, including the Arjuna Award – the country’s second-highest sporting award – and the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. On the global stage, he has led the team to victory in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup, the South Asian Football Federation Championship, the Intercontinental Cup and more.
The Future
Now that Chhetri has hung up his boots, a question that’s sure to plague fans and players alike will be “After Chhetri, who?”. But for now, the focus remains on celebrating the illustrious career of a player who has given so much to Indian football.
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This marks the end of an era in Indian football, as we bid farewell to a true legend of the game. His contributions to the sport will continue to inspire future generations of footballers in the country.
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