“Match Against Kuwait Will Be Last One For Country”: Sunil Chhetri Announces Retirement From International Football (instagram/ chetri_sunil11)
Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri announced his retirement from International Football, on Thursday. The Indian team captain has said that the next match against Kuwait on June 6 for the World Cup qualification will be the last one for the country. Chhetri, popularly known as Captain Fantastic, announced his retirement after his long journey of 19 years with the Indian team.
In a video shared in X (formerly twitter), Chhetri said that he had been heartbroken for a while and his wife burst into tears due to the thought that he would not be playing for the country anymore, “last 19 years were very nice combination between with duty pressure and immense joy” Chhetri said.
In the video, Chhetri expressed gratitude to his co-group and fans. Chhetri thanked his fans for showering him with love and affection throughout his journey. “I think I’ve really got the best of, and I was really pampered is the love and affection I got. It’s time for our country to see the next Number 9” Chhetri said emotionally.
I”d like to say something… pic.twitter.com/xwXbDi95WV
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) May 16, 2024
Chhetri has been part of Indian International Football since 2005. Since Chhetri’s debut for India, he scored 94 goals for the country, which made him the all-time top scorer of the nation. In 2018, Chhetri was in third in the list of active players in highest International goal scorers, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Chhetri is currently fourth in all-time list of international goal scorers. The captain has also made 150 national appearances for the country. Chhetri has also secured chances to play in foreign leagues, including teams like Coventry City in England and Kansas City Wizards in the USA. He has been a regular feature of Bengaluru FC in Indian Super League.
Sunil Chhetri was honoured with the Khel Ratna Award, Padma Shri Award and Arjuna Award in 2021, 2019 and 2011 years, respectively. He was also selected as the AIFF Player of the Year in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018,2021 years.
Following the emotional video of Chhetri, social media handles were flooded with #HappyRetirementLegend messages from celebrities and netizens. Commenting on Chhetri’s post, Virat Kohli wrote: “My Brother. Proud.”
Internet wished him good luck for his last dance against Kuwait on June 06.
