Emotions overflowed at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday, June 6, as the Indian football team, under the leadership of Sunil Chhetri, went head-to-head against Kuwait. The match marked Sunil Chhetri’s Retirement donning the Indian jersey, stirring tears among players, fans, and celebrities alike.
Chhetri received a poignant standing ovation, followed by a touching lap of honor during which he struggled to contain his emotions. His teammates, in a gesture of respect, formed a guard of honor, commemorating his illustrious career. With 94 goals to his name, India’s leading goal-scorer bid farewell amidst heavy-hearted fans.
The official Instagram page of the Indian Super League, @indiansuperleague, shared a video capturing the emotional reactions of his parents towards Sunil Chhetri’s retirement. In the video, Chhetri’s mother expressed her sadness, stating, “It is sad, I am his mother.” Meanwhile, Chhetri’s father revealed their shock upon hearing the news, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding retirement despite some indications. He shared, “There is always a 20-30 per cent indication that one day you will retire suddenly but the 70 per cent is not clear though.”
n a separate post by @bengalurufc, a series of images showcased fans expressing their heartfelt farewells to Chhetri. One photo depicted a fan holding a sign reading, “He is our Rolando, he is our Messi, he is our everything,” while another displayed a banner stating, “Thank you Sunil. Divided by East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, United by Chhetri.”