Sunil Chhetri announces retirement from international football

Photo Credits: AFP

<img src='https://www.hindustantimes.com/ht-img/img/2024/05/16/900x1600/Sunil_Chhetri_1715838060347_1715838063319.jpg' width='720' height='1280' alt='Sunil_Chhetri' style="position: relative; z-index: 0;"/> By Neha Yadav Published May 16, 2024 Hindustan Times Sports <img fallback src='/res/images/logo.png' class=' img-fill elementStyle' width='1000' height='1000' alt='Hindustan Logo'/>

Indian football team captain and one of the most decorated footballers, Sunil Chhetri took to social media to announce his retirement from international football.

Chhetri said that India's upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifier game against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6 will be his last match.

"The recollection of the last 19 years is a combination of duty, pressure and immense joy. I never thought that these are the many games I would play for the country, good or bad but these last two months I did."

"And this (the feeling) was very strange. I was probably going towards the decision that this game (against Kuwait) is going to be my last."

Chhetri, 39, will play his final game in the city of Kolkata where he made his India debut 19 years ago.

Chhetri's journey kicked off in 2002 with Mohun Bagan. His talent took him abroad with stints at the USA's Kansas City Wizards (2010) and Portugal's Sporting CP reserves (2012).

The footballer played for East Bengal, Dempo, and Mumbai City FC in India. He currently plays for Bengaluru FC.

Chhetri flourished with Bengaluru FC and lifted trophies like the I-League (2014, 2016), ISL (2019), and Super Cup (2018). He even led the club to the AFC Cup final in 2016.

Chhetri led India to victory in the Nehru Cup (2007, 2009, 2012) and the SAFF Championship (2011, 2015, 2021). India won the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 with his significant contribution.

The Indian footballer scored 94 goals in 150 international appearances. He is the third-highest active international goal-scorer, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Indian Premier League: Purple cap winners over the last decade <img fallback src='/res/images/logo.png' class=' img-fill elementStyle' width='1000' height='1000' alt='Hindustan Logo'/> Read Next

Photo Credits: AFP

Sunil Chhetri announces retirement from international football: 10 things to know

Indian football team captain and one of the most decorated footballers, Sunil Chhetri took to social media to announce his retirement from international football.

Video Credits: Instagram/@chetri_sunil11

Chhetri said that India's upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifier game against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6 will be his last match.

Photo Credits: HT File Photo

"The recollection of the last 19 years is a combination of duty, pressure and immense joy. I never thought that these are the many games I would play for the country, good or bad but these last two months I did."

Sunil Chhetri

Photo Credits: Instagram/@chetri_sunil11

"And this (the feeling) was very strange. I was probably going towards the decision that this game (against Kuwait) is going to be my last."

Sunil Chhetri

Photo Credits: Instagram/@chetri_sunil11

Chhetri, 39, will play his final game in the city of Kolkata where he made his India debut 19 years ago.

Photo Credits: Instagram/@chetri_sunil11

Chhetri's journey kicked off in 2002 with Mohun Bagan. His talent took him abroad with stints at the USA's Kansas City Wizards (2010) and Portugal's Sporting CP reserves (2012).

Photo Credits: Instagram/@chetri_sunil11

The footballer played for East Bengal, Dempo, and Mumbai City FC in India. He currently plays for Bengaluru FC.

Photo Credits: Instagram/@chetri_sunil11

Chhetri flourished with Bengaluru FC and lifted trophies like the I-League (2014, 2016), ISL (2019), and Super Cup (2018). He even led the club to the AFC Cup final in 2016.

Photo Credits: Instagram/@chetri_sunil11

Chhetri led India to victory in the Nehru Cup (2007, 2009, 2012) and the SAFF Championship (2011, 2015, 2021). India won the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 with his significant contribution.

Photo Credits: Instagram/@chetri_sunil11

The Indian footballer scored 94 goals in 150 international appearances. He is the third-highest active international goal-scorer, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Photo Credits: Instagram/@chetri_sunil11