With just days left for Indian football’s household name to bow out from the sport he has given his life to, Sunil Chhetri is all set for his final game for the Indian national team. Having announced his retirement recently via an emotional video on his social media, Chhetri will surely missed by fans who will feel his absence whenever the Blue Tigers take the field in the future.
India’s football team captain, Sunil Chhetri, is set to retire on June 6, with his final appearance for the national team being the FIFA World Cup qualification match against Kuwait. This match will mark the end of a remarkable career.
Chhetri, who ranks fourth in international goal-scoring history, shared a heartfelt message with his fans on Instagram, expressing that every training session now holds profound significance for him and expressing his gratitude to football and the Indian national team.
---Advertisement---View this post on Instagram
Sunil Chhetri Pens Emotional Message Ahead Of Retirement Match
“These last few days, I’ve been caught in a bit of a dilemma. Now that there’s a number to my days with the National Team, what’s the right route to take – do I count every day, every training session? Or do I simply turn up without the thought of how this is coming to an end?” Sunil Chhetri wrote on Instagram.
“Over time, I seemed to have found middle ground. They say, count your blessings. And every single day I get to be on the pitch is a blessing that I’ve never taken for granted. So I’ve decided to count my sessions, but with a deep sense of gratitude. There’s no apprehension. Instead, there’s a feeling of being indebted to the sport, to my team, that I get to do this,” he further added.
“If I could, I would capture this feeling in a box. Or instead, I’ll take it to my next training session,” Chettri concluded his post.
I’d like to say something… pic.twitter.com/xwXbDi95WV
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) May 16, 2024
Throughout his nearly 20-year career, Chhetri has played 150 matches for India, scoring 94 goals. He will retire in the city where his top-flight football journey began with Mohun Bagan. Over the years, he has become one of India’s most influential footballers, holding the record for the most caps for the national team.
Chhetri announced his retirement through a 10-minute video on Instagram, thanking the sport and his fans. Head coach Igor Stimac has expressed hope that Indian fans will fill the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata to honor Chhetri’s final international match.
Also Read: Short-Staffed Australian Cricket Team Use Coaches In T20 World Cup Warm-Up Match, Here’s Why
