Legendary Indian football player and team captain Sunil Chhetri has declared his intention to retire from international play on June 6.
He declared that India’s World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait will be his final game in a video that was uploaded on X.
In the video, he remarked, “One last game… for all our sakes…let’s win the game and we can depart, happily.”
39-year-old Chhetri has been a member of the national team for 19 years. In 2005, he scored his maiden goal in his first game.
He is one of the most renowned players in the nation and is recognized for having brought attention to Indian football both domestically and abroad in a nation where cricket is the primary sport.
Sunil Chhetri
Right now, he is the third-highest goal scorer for his country among active football players, behind Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Lionel Messi of Argentina.
In the nine-minute, 51-second video post on X, Chhetri shared his regret over his choice and reflected on the highs and lows of his lengthy career.
“The kid inside will probably keep fighting to play football, but the sensible, mature player and person knows that this is it,” he stated. “However, it wasn’t simple,” he said.
Fans have been paying tribute to X and expressing their appreciation for all he has done for Indian football.
“In sports, the phrase ‘end of an era’ is occasionally misused, but in Indian Football, this couldn’t be more accurate. A supporter stated, “Sunil Chhetri, captain, leader, legend, announces retirement.”
Another said, “An all-time legend of Indian football.”
Experts and supporters agree that his durability in international football, in addition to his work, are the main reasons for Chhetri’s accomplishments.
He has received multiple football honors in India, including the Padma Shri, the nation’s fourth-highest civilian honor, and the Arjuna Award, which is the nation’s second-highest sporting honor.
He has guided the squad to success in various international competitions, including the Intercontinental Cup, the South Asian Football Federation Championship, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup.
In a previous interview, Chhetri—who is well-known for maintaining a rigorous diet and exercise schedule—spoke to the BBC about the “small sacrifices” he makes.
It all comes down to how much sleep I get and what I eat. It’s not a huge problem to choose broccoli over biryani for the kind of good life that I have been given by God’s favor since I know that I will have plenty of time for such indulgences after the game is over,” the man remarked.
Now that Chhetri has hung up his boots, a question that’s sure to plague fans and players alike will be “After Chhetri, who?”
Indian Asia
https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c5rznn0nvvyt
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