Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri has officially declared his retirement from international football. He announced that the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualification match against Kuwait on June 6, to be played in Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata will be his last match. India is currently second in Group A with four points, behind Qatar. <
#BreakingNews: Football Legend and Indian Captain #SunilChhetri announces Retirement from Men’s International Football. #HappyRetirementLegend #Football #trending pic.twitter.com/jAimVjM5WF— VYGR News (@Vygrofficial) May 16, 2024
See his Announcement video:
I'd like to say something... pic.twitter.com/xwXbDi95WV— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) May 16, 2024
Some Facts about Sunil Chhetri
Indian professional football player Sunil Chhetri was born on August 3, 1984, and is currently 39 years old. Throughout his twenty-year career, he has gained widespread recognition for his forwarding abilities and captaincy for both the Indian national team and Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.
He made a solid debut in 2005 for his first international, which was against Pakistan.
Sunil Chhetri's mother and father were both active football players.Sunil Chhetri's mother was a player for the Nepal national team. And his father played in the Army.
His Representation of Teams
His talent basic brought him overseas, where he played for the Sporting CP reserves of Portugal (2012) and the Kansas City Wizards of the USA (2010).
He has also represented elite teams in India, including Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, Dempo, and East Bengal. Chhetri really took off with Bengaluru, where he won championships in the I-League (2014, 2016), ISL (2019), and Super Cup (2018). In 2016, he also led Bengaluru FC to the AFC Cup final.
His Achievements
Most Capped Football Player
Sunil Chhetri is India's most-capped football player, Chhetri celebrated his 150th appearance with a goal against Afghanistan in Guwahati, though India faced a 1-2 defeat in that match.
Third-highest active goalscorer in the world
Sunil Chhetri ranks third among active players globally in goals scored, trailing only Ronaldo and Messi. With a total of 94 goals, he holds the fifth position overall. He is also India's all-time leading scorer and holds the record for the most goals in the Indian Super League. Each season, he remains a favourite among fans and bettors alike, often favoured to clinch the top scorer title in the ISL.
His Awards
Arjuna Award: Sunil Chhetri received the Arjuna Award in 2011.
Padma Shri: He was awarded in 2019, India's fourth highest civilian award.
Khel Ratna Awards: Sunil Chhetri was awarded with the Khel Ratna Award in 2021, making him the first footballer in India to achieve this honor. He was recognized alongside other sports stars like Neeraj Chopra and Mithali Raj.
AIFF Player of the Year award: Sunil Chhetri has set a new record for the most AIFF Player of the Year awards won by an Indian footballer, having claimed the prestigious title seven times. He achieved this feat in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019, and 2022. Prior to him, M. Vijayan won it thrice, while Baichung Bhutia and Jo Paul Ancheri secured the award twice each.
Asian Icon: In 2018, the Asian Football Federation, which oversees football in Asia, honored Sunil Chhetri with the title of "Asian Icon" on his 34th birthday.
He has won many matches for team India
Sunil Chhetri, with his unforgettable performance, has secured many victories for India. The 2007, 2009, and 2012 Nehru Cup, the 2011, 2015, and 2021 SAFF Championship, as well as the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup were all won due to the contributions of Chhetri. Since 2021, he has been the captain of the Indian football team
‘Captain Fantastic’
FIFA announced a new documentary, "Captain Fantastic," which showcases Chhetri's remarkable journey and is now accessible for streaming on FIFA+.
Conclusion
With Chhetri's retirement, it marks an end of an era in Indian Football. As a true icon of Indian football history, Chhetri has made a lasting impact on the game with his outstanding leadership and contributions on the field. So Happy Retirement Legend!
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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