Sunil Chhetri, the iconic Indian footballer, announced his retirement from the Indian national team on Thursday. The 38-year-old striker disclosed that his final match for India would be against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, scheduled for June 6 at the Salt Lake Stadium. Chhetri shared this announcement through a heartfelt video on his social media accounts, reflecting on his distinguished career and explaining his decision.
In the emotional video, Chhetri recounted how he broke the news to his family. His father reacted with relief and happiness, while his wife had a more emotional response despite her previous concerns about the pressures of his career. Chhetri clarified that his retirement decision wasn’t due to physical fatigue but stemmed from an instinctual feeling that it was the right time to step away. He admitted to feeling a profound sense of sadness and nostalgia, noting that the “kid inside him” never wanted to stop playing for his country, even as the mature part of him recognized it was time.
Sunil Chhetri highlighted the immense joy and pride he felt representing India, comparing it to living a dream. Although the upcoming match against Kuwait is crucial for India’s qualification to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers, Chhetri mentioned that he no longer felt the usual pressure. Instead, he planned to cherish every remaining moment of training and playing with the national team.
Chhetri’s career has been remarkable. Since his debut for India in 2005, he has scored 94 goals in 150 appearances, making him India’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player. Among active international goal scorers, he ranks third, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. His contributions to Indian football have been monumental, and his retirement announcement has elicited an outpouring of emotions on social media. Fans, fellow athletes, and prominent figures have flooded platforms with messages of gratitude and admiration.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a touching tribute, celebrating Sunil Chhetri not only as a football icon but as a sports legend. Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, a close friend of Chhetri, expressed his pride and support in a heartfelt Instagram comment. India’s starting goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, also reacted to the news, expressing his wish to change Chhetri’s mind while understanding and respecting his decision.
Sanjiv Goenka, chairman of Mohun Bagan Super Giants, lauded Chhetri’s contributions to the sport and wished him well in his future endeavors. The hashtag “#HappyRetirementLegend” has captured the collective sentiment of a nation grateful for Chhetri’s dedication and achievements, celebrating the legacy of a true footballing great.
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