Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has announced his retirement from from his illustrious international career. He will make his final appearance for the national team on June 6 in the second round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match against Kuwait, played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
The 39-year-old Chhetri boasts a remarkable 20-year international career with 145 appearances and a staggering 93 goals for India.
Chhetri's international career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Not only does he hold the prestigious title of India's top scorer with 93 goals, but he also currently ranks fourth on the all-time list of international goal-scorers. He announced his retirement via a 10-minute video on his social media platform (X).
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A Legend Departs: Sunil Chhetri Announces Retirement
“There is one day that I never forget and remember it quite often is the first time I played for my country man, it was unbelievable. But the day before, morning of the day, Sukhi sir, my first national team coach, in the morning he came to me and he’s like, you’re going to start? 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 that day, everything that happened, once he told me, from breakfast to lunch and to the game and to my first goal in my debut, to conceding late 80th minute, that day is probably that I will never forget and is one of the best days of my national team journey,” Chhetri said in the video.
“You know the feeling that I recollect in the last 19 years is a very nice combination between duty pressure and immense joy. I never thought individually, these are the many games that I’ve played for the country, this is what I’ve done, good or bad, but now I did it. This last one and a half, two months, I did it and it was very strange. I did it because probably I was going towards the decision that this game, this next game is going to be my last,” he added.
Chhetri, a name synonymous with Indian football, hangs up his boots after an illustrious career spanning over two decades. This gifted forward wasn't just a domestic star, he carved his name on the international stage as well. Chhetri's journey began in 2002 with Mohun Bagan, showcasing his talent early on. He even ventured abroad for brief stints with the USA's Kansas City Wizards (2010) and Portugal's Sporting CP reserves (2012). However, India remained his home turf, where he donned the jerseys of prestigious clubs like East Bengal, Dempo, Mumbai City FC, and currently, Bengaluru FC.
It was with Bengaluru FC that Chhetri truly flourished, becoming a club legend. He captained them to numerous victories, including the I-League (2014, 2016), ISL (2019), and Super Cup (2018). His leadership even guided them to the AFC Cup final in 2016.
"And the moment I told myself first, that yes, this is the game that is going to be my last, is when I started recollecting everything. It was so strange, I started thinking about this game, that game, this coach, that coach, that team, that member, that ground, that away match, this good game, that bad game, all my individual performances, everything came, all the flashes came. So when I did decide that this is it, this is going to be my last game, I told my mom, my dad and my wife, my family first, my dad was, my dad was my dad, he was normal, he was relieved, happy, everything, but my mom and my wife straightly started crying and I told them, you always used to bug me that there are too many games, there is too much of pressure when you watch me and now that I’m telling you that, you know, I’m not going to play for my country anymore after this game," India's football icon stated.
International Hero: Chhetri's Goalscoring Prowess
While club trophies solidify his domestic dominance, Chhetri's true magic lies in his performances for the national team. He played a pivotal role in India's triumphs in tournaments like the Nehru Cup (2007, 2009, 2012) and the SAFF Championship (2011, 2015, 2021). More importantly, his contribution to India's 2008 AFC Challenge Cup win paved the way for their first AFC Asian Cup appearance in 27 years, a historic moment for Indian football.
However, it's his goalscoring prowess that truly sets Chhetri apart. Since his debut goal in 2002, he has become a relentless goal machine. With a staggering 94 goals in 150 international appearances, he currently sits as the third-highest active international goal-scorer, only surpassed by legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. This incredible feat also places him fourth on the prestigious all-time list of international goal scorers.
“And even they couldn’t, they couldn’t express to me as to why they, they burst into tears. It’s not that I was feeling tired, it’s not that I was feeling this or that, when the instinct came that this should be my last game, then I thought about it a lot. And eventually I came to this decision, so, you know, will I be sad after this? Of course. Do I feel sad sometimes every day because of this? Yes. Do I feel like the train, I’ll miss the train and I’ll have to run and there’s just 20 days of training and it’ll all be gone? Yes,” Chhetri further added.
“It took time because the kid inside me, he never wants to stop if given a chance to play for his country, man. Never. There hasn’t been, I’ve got, I’m really fortunate in my life, there has been so many amazing things that have happened to me. I practically live a dream, but nothing comes close to, to playing for a country. So the kid kept fighting and probably even in future will keep fighting inside. I think the sensible, the matured player, a person inside knows it, knew it, that this is it. But it wasn’t easy. Every training that I do with the national team now, and I can say it because my name has come in the camp. Every training that I do with the national team, I just want to enjoy it, man. I can feel that, I don’t feel the pressure, wherein this game demands pressure against Kuwait,” he concluded.
From Debut to Legend: Chhetri's Rise to National Hero
Chhetri's international journey began in 2005, marking his debut with a goal against Pakistan. A true defining moment arrived in the 2011 SAFF Championship. There, he not only propelled India to victory but also etched his name in history. He surpassed the legendary I.M. Vijayan's record of 6 goals in a single edition by scoring a phenomenal 7, becoming the national team's highest scorer in the process.
Chhetri's impact transcends individual achievements. Across club and country, his remarkable tally stands at 252 goals in 515 appearances, averaging almost a goal every other game. This consistency and talent have earned him international recognition. In 2022, FIFA itself acknowledged his greatness with a documentary titled "Captain Fantastic," celebrating his journey and achievements.
Here's Chhetri's emotional retirement video
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