Indian legend Sunil Chhetri is set to bid farewell to international football after the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Kuwait today i.e. June 6. The 39-year-old forward last month announced his retirement from international football. The qualifier against Kuwait will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata today.
- Born on August 3, 1984, in Secunderabad, the captain began his professional football career with Mohun Bagan in 2002.
-Chhetri played a pivotal role in India's victories at the Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009, and 2012, showcasing his remarkable skills and contribution to the team's success.
-Apart from this, he also helped India win the 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023 SAFF Championships.
-Chhetri led India to victory in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which helped India qualify for its first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years.
-In his 19-year-long career, this Arjuna Award winner has 94 goals in 150 matches on the international stage.
-He is the fourth-highest goal-scorer on the global stage only behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Iran's retired Ali Daei and Lionel Messi.
Ahead of today's match, Real Madrid's midfielder Luka Modric has also sent a special message for Sunil Chhetri. In a post shared by India Senior Football Team coach Igor Stimac, Modric said, “Hi Sunil, I want to say congratulations and wish you all the best in your last game for the national team. Congratulations on your career. You are a legend of this game. To your teammates, I hope you make his last game memorable. Good luck and all the best from team Croatia.”
Chhetri played down the hype around his last international match and sought to bring the focus back to the team's crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Kuwait.
“I think most of us have met already 20 days back and we have spoken about my last game. That's done. We are here only and only to speak about Kuwait and India and I'm trying really hard to not think about this game like this."
He added, “I again request... it's not about me and my last name, it's about us and Kuwait. And inside me I'm fighting a small battle, please don't make it worse asking 'how are you feeling', again and again. Only you guys who are putting this question... We don't talk about it in the dressing room. We are still the same, we are still having fun. There is not a talk about the last game, we are done with it. We really need to win this game. Once we win this game, it gives us a great chance to go to the third round, which we have never done”
(With inputs from agencies)
