Thirty-nine year old Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri, having led the country for 87 times, on Thursday took to the Social Media via a video post to announce his decision to retire from international football after nearly two decades of association with the world's most loved sports at the big stage.  

 The journey that began in 2005 in the faraway city of Quetta in Pakistan, will finally come to an end when the ace striker of the country will hang his boots after playing against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers for the third round at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on June 6, 2024. India are currently second in Group A with four points, behind leaders and current AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar.

 Chhetri who recently played his 150th International match in March against Afghanistan in Guwahati and also scored for India, though on a losing cause (1-2), is India’s leading goal scorer.

 With 94 goals to his credit, the veteran striker Chetrri (India's all-time top scorer, most-capped player) is world's third active international goal scorer behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal Captain) and Lionel Messi ( FIFA World Cup winning Argentina Captain) .

 An emotional Indian no.11, Sunil Chettri on his decision to retire, said “Over the last 19 years while playing for the country, the feeling has been that of pride and immense joy in the face of expectations and match pressure.  It's been a month that I have thought about it and arrived at the decision to call it a day with mixed feelings. The (match against Kuwait on June 6, 2024) is one of the biggest games of my career and my last game. It is hugely important for the National Team too and I hope to contribute to a winning cause that will pave the path for our nation's entry in the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers.”

 Responding to the announcement by the football legend, a surprised All India Football Federation President Kalyan Chaubey said, “Sunil Chhetri is one of the best strikers India has produced and is at his peak with no weaknesses. Words cannot define his greatness on the field and even better human beings to ever grace the game. Somewhere inside, we probably were hoping that he would extend his career a bit longer. But with respect to the man, who has carried the nation’s dream for nearly two decades now, only he knows his body, the pain and joy he has endured while bringing in a lot of happiness to us all and inspiring fans and sports enthusiasts from every walk of life”.

Former India Head coach Sukhwinder Singh who had handed Chhetri his first national cap in 2006 in Pakistan felt longevity and consistency is Chhetri’s best quality. “From the very beginning, he was extremely serious about his game and did everything to serve the nation for a long time. He is a skillful player and has the special ability to score goals. Over the years he has sharpened his decision-making instinct inside the penalty box to emerge India’s top scorer. This is a special talent which will be hard to replace,” said Sukhwinder Singh.

Current Head Coach and Croatian World Cupper Igor Stimac who has bonded with Chhetri for the last five years, opinionated that the typical player-coach relationship extended way beyond the football pitch too. "He became a legend while still playing and that’s something only a few can do. He's an inspiration to everyone, absolutely committed to the Indian jersey. Playing for the country with passion, love and intense joy is what is required to excel at the big stage. I am very confident that whatever he decides to do after football will have an immense impact on society in a very positive way. He was born to become a GOAT,” said Igor Stimac and hopes to make 6th June a very memorable one for him and all Indian football fans.

Highlight of Sunil Chettri's international career

Born: August 3, 1984

Debut on June 12, 2005: vs Pakistan (Quetta)

Matches played: 150 (captain in 87 matches)

Goals scored: 94 (Top goalscorer for India) 

Trophies Won--

• Jawaharlal Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009 and 2012
• AFC Challenge Cup in 2008
• Hero Intercontinental Cup in 2018 and 2023
• Hero Tri-Nation Cup in 2017 and 2023
• SAFF Cup in 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023

Achievements--

• First Indian to score 50 international goals
• Scored four hat-tricks for India. Vs Tajikistan in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup Final at New Delhi; Vs Vietnam in 2010 Friendly at Pune; Vs Chinese Taipei in 2018 Intercontinental Cup at Mumbai; Vs Pakistan in 2023 SAFF Cup
• Only Indian to score a hat-trick in the final of an International Tournament – AFC Challenge Cup at New Delhi – 2008
• Scored in three finals of the SAFF Cup 2011, 2015-16 and 2021
•  Scored at least one goal in his first, 25^th, 50^th, 75^th, 100^th, 125^th and 150^th matches

Awards--

• Arjuna in 2011
• Padma Shri in 2019
• Khel Ratna in 2021
• Asian Icon by the AFC in 2018
• AIFF Player of the Year in 2007, 2011, 2013,2014, 2017, 2019
• FPAI Player of the Year in 2009 and 2018
• AFC Challenge Cup Most Valuable Player in 2008
• SAFF Player of the Tournament in 2011
• Hero of the Intercontinental Cup in 2018