Sunil Chhetri To Retire from International Football After 6 June Match Against Kuwait: All You Need To Know

Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has announced his retirement from international football, set to take effect following the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait in Kolkata on 6 June.

This decision will mark the end of Chhetri's remarkable two-decade career.

Chhetri, the long-serving captain of the national team, shared the news through a heartfelt video posted on his social media accounts.

Currently, India sits second in Group A with four points, trailing Qatar.

The 39-year-old expressed a mix of emotions in his announcement.

"The feel that I recollect in the last 19 years is a very nice combination of duty, pressure, and immense joy," Chhetri reflected.

Chhetri described the introspection that led to his decision, stating, "I never thought individually about the games I've played for the country or what I've done well or poorly. But, in the last one-and-a-half to two months, I did. It felt very strange. I did it because I was approaching the decision that the next game would be my last."

"Every training that I do with the national team, I just want to enjoy. The game against Kuwait demands pressure, we need the three points to qualify for the next round. It's hugely important for us," the skipper said.

"But in a strange way, I don't feel the pressure because these 15-20 days with the national team and the match against Kuwait is the last," he added.

Chhetri reached a significant milestone in March, making his 150th appearance for India and scoring against Afghanistan in Guwahati, although India lost that game 1-2.

Since his debut in 2005, Chhetri has netted 94 goals for the country, making him India's all-time top scorer and most-capped player.

Internationally, he ranks third among active goal scorers, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

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