Icon of Indian Football with 94 goals, Sunil Chhetri, has decided to retire from international football.
Chhetri made this announcement through a video on social media platform X, where he additionally mentioned, that India’s World Cup Fifa qualifier match against Kuwait will be his last. Which is on June 6th.
“The recollection of the last 19 years is a combination of duty, pressure and immense joy. I never thought that these are the many games I would play for the country, good or bad but now I did but these last one and half two months I did. And this (the feeling) was very strange. I was probably going towards the decision that this game (against Kuwait) is going to be my last.”said Sunil Chhetri.
Later, recounting his journey, Chhetri disclosed, that he remembered the day, when he played for his country and a day before, his first national coach sukhi visited him and said you’re going to start?
Expressing his feelings, Sunil Chhetri said, I can’t tell you how I was feeling man. I took my jersey, I sprayed some perfume on it, I have no idea why.
So, from this day, he remembers, how he was prepped the whole day followed by his conceding of the goal in the late 80th minute. Ending his reminiscence, he declared, that he won’t forget that day ever and this is one of the best days of his national journey.
Sunil Chhetri’s Glittering Career
Synonymous with Indian football, the career of this Indian football player spanned over two decades.
His journey started in the year 2002, with Mohun Bagan. Due to his sheer talent & passion, he soon made his name in the international stage. He played with various countries like USA’s Kansas City Wizards (2010) and played in Portugal’s Sporting CP reserves (2012).
However, when he donned the Indian jersey, he led the team towards the team. Especially in victories like Nehru Cup (2007, 2009, 2012) and the SAFF Championship (2011, 2015, 2021).
The best of all, is the win in India’s 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which the Indian team won after 27 years, due to his significant contribution.
Recently, in 2011 SAFF Championship, he broke the record of Indian legend I.M. Vijayan’s six goals in a single edition by scoring seven. Thus, taking India towards victory and became national team’s highest scorer.
Overall, with 94 goals in 150 international appearances, he has become the third highest active international goal scorer just behind football legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
As for domestic stage, he played for many prestigious clubs like East Bengal, Dempo, Mumbai City FC and currently with Bengaluru FC.
It is said, that with Bengaluru FC only, he totally flourished as per his potential. Where he won accolades like I-League (2014, 2016), ISL (2019), and Super Cup (2018).
Later, he even led the team to 2016 AFC Cup final.
This consistency hasn’t been ignored in any manner, recently Fifa has honored him with a documentary titled “Captain Fantastic,” which was released in the year 2022.