Captain of Indian Football Team Sunil Chhetri announced its retirement from international & will play last match for India in World Cup Qualifier 2026 on 6th June 2024. It's truly a legendary era of Indian Football that comes to an end. Virat Kohli also reacted on instagram with special heartwarming comment "My brother ♥️. PROUD".
What makes Sunil Chhetri great in football
Sunil Chhetri Captain of Indian Football Team & Bengaluru FC is now 39 year's old and completed approx 150 matches. With his hard work and great effort, Sunil Chhetri managed to make a place in world most goal scorer. He is at 4th position with 94 goles ,where Ronaldo & Messi is at top of world top football goals achiever. The fitness level is usually compared with Virat Kohli and young players used to take inspiration from both of them. And we can say that, he is the man behind why most indian started seeing & supporting Indian Football.
Total records in matches :
Matches : 148 ; Won : 65 ; Lost : 51 ; For Against : 223 - 182 ; Points : 162 ; Percentage : 54.73
| Type of match | no. of Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Friendlines | 35 | 17 |
| SAFF Cup | 28 | 23 |
| World Cup Qualifier | 21 | 09 |
| Nehru Cup | 14 | 09 |
| HERD Cup | 13 | 14 |
| Asian Cup Qualifier | 11 | 08 |
| Asian Nations Cup | 09 | 04 |
| AFC Cup | 08 | 04 |
| AfC Cup Qualifier | 05 | 03 |
| King's Cup | 01 | 01 |
| Other Tournaments | 03 | 01 |
| Total Cups / Goals : | 148 | 93 |
What Sunil Chhetri said during announcement of Retirement
On 16 May 2024, Sunil Chhetri announced its retirement on X(tweeter) through a 10 minutes video, he was sad and expressing about his life, journey, retirement & many more. Some important he mentioned.
"The feel that I recollect in the last 19 years is a very nice combination of duty, pressure and immense joy," the 39-year-old Chhetri said while announcing his decision to retire."
"I never thought individually these are the games I've played for the country, this is what I've done good, I've done bad. But, now I did it, this last one-and-a-half two months. It felt very strange," he added "I did it because I was going towards the decision that the next game was going to be my last."
"Every training that I do with the national team, I just want to enjoy. The game against Kuwait demands pressure, we need the three points to qualify for the next round. It's hugely important for us."
"But in a strange way, I don't feel the pressure because these 15-20 days with the national team and the match against Kuwait is the last."
In moment of video, he said very intersting "So yeah one last game against Kuwait for all our sake, let's do good, Let's win the game. And we depart. Happily."
I'd like to say something... pic.twitter.com/xwXbDi95WV
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) May 16, 2024
World's Reaction on Chhetri's retirement
- Virat Kohli : "My brother ♥️. PROUD."
- Punjab Kings IPL : Congratulations on a wonderful career, captain. ♥️"
- Delhi Capitals : "94* goals and infinity inspiration. Thank you, Captain 🇮🇳💙"
- Indian Football : Your legacy on and off-the-field will always be remembered 💙"
- Indian Football Team : "Your legacy will inspire generations to come.💙"
- Mumbai Indians : "Thank you for everything 🇮🇳"
- Danis Sait : "Love you Sunil ♥️"
- RVCJ insta : "Happy Retirement Legend"
- Instant Bollywood : "The Legend♥️ The GOAT🙌"
- Zomato : "Thank you for everything ♥️"
- Chennai Super King IPL : "Captain Leader Legend. Big whistle on thetrailblazing career, @chetri_sunil11 !👏🥳"
- Bengaluru FC : "Forever in your debt. It's been an honor, captain. 🇮🇳"
- Premier League India : We'll miss you, Captain. Leader. Legend💙🇮🇳"
