Legendary Indian football Sunil Chhetri took to social media on Thursday, May 16, to announce that he’ll be hanging up his boots in international football .
“Will I be sad after this? Of course. Do I feel sad sometimes every day because of this? Yes. Do I feel like I’ll miss the training…that these 20 days of training and I’ll all be gone? Yes. It took time because the kid inside me never wants to stop if given a chance to play for his country,” said Chhetri.
“I practically live a dream, but nothing comes close to playing for a country. So the kid kept fighting and probably even in future will keep fighting inside. I think the sensible, matured player inside knew this is it. But it wasn’t easy.”
I’d like to say something… pic.twitter.com/xwXbDi95WV
Chhetri will go down as the most capped player (150) and goal scorer (94) in Indian football history, as well as the fourth-highest international goal scorer of all-time, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Ali Daei.
When will the 39-year-old play his final international football match for India? The Sporting News provides the details.
MORE: What is Sunil Chhetri’s record in international football?
Sunil Chhetri will take the field for the final time for India on June 6, against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying match.
Chhetri’s final match for India will take place where it all began for Chhetri, in Kolkata. The Salt Lake Stadium will host the India vs Kuwait match, where around 60,000 spectators are expected to assemble for Chhetri’s swansong.
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Parshva is a Content Producer for The Sporting News’ India edition.
