Sunil Chhetri - soccer icon bids adieu to Indian football : Career highlights with video

 


Indian football icon and national team captain, Sunil Chhetri, has announced his retirement from international football,  effective June 6.


In a video posted on X, Chhetri revealed that India's World Cup qualification match against Kuwait would be his final game.



 "One last game... for all our sakes... let's win the game and we can depart, happily," he stated.



Chhetri, 39, has represented India for 19 years, scoring his first goal in his debut match in 2005. He is one of the country's most celebrated players, bringing significant attention to Indian football in a cricket-dominated nation.


Currently, Chhetri is the third-highest scorer of international goals among active footballers, following Argentina's Lionel Messi and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.


In the nine-minute-51-second video, Chhetri reflected on his career's highs and lows and expressed sadness over his decision. "The kid inside will probably keep fighting to play football, but the sensible, mature player and person knows that this is it," he said. "But it wasn't easy," he added.


Tributes have poured in on X, with fans expressing their profound respects & universally agreeing that Chhetri will remain as one of the greats in Indian football. 



Fans and experts attribute Chhetri's success to his longevity in international football and his exceptional work ethic. In India, he has received numerous accolades, including the Arjuna Award, the country's second-highest sporting honor, and the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award.


On the global stage, he has led India to victories in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup, the South Asian Football Federation Championship, the Intercontinental Cup, and more.


Career achievements 


Sunil Chhetri's glittering career achievements are numerous and have significantly impacted Indian football. Here are some of his notable accomplishments:


 International Achievements

1. **Third-Highest International Goal Scorer (Active)**: Chhetri is the third-highest goal scorer in international football among active players, following Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

2. **Most Goals for India**: He is India's top scorer in international matches.

3. **Most Appearances for India**: Chhetri holds the record for the most appearances for the Indian national team.

4. **AFC Challenge Cup**: Led India to victory in 2008.

5. **SAFF Championship**: Helped India win the South Asian Football Federation Championship multiple times (2011, 2015, 2021).

6. **Intercontinental Cup**: Guided the team to win the Intercontinental Cup in 2018 and 2019.


 Club Achievements

1. **I-League Titles**: Won multiple I-League titles with Bengaluru FC and Dempo SC.

2. **Indian Super League (ISL)**: Key player for Bengaluru FC, leading them to win the ISL in 2018-2019.

3. **Domestic Cups**: Won Federation Cup titles with Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan.


Individual Honours

1. **AIFF Player of the Year**: Awarded seven times (2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019).

2. **Arjuna Award**: Received in 2011, recognizing his outstanding achievements in Indian sports.

3. **Padma Shri**: Awarded in 2019, India’s fourth-highest civilian award.

4. **Hero of the League (ISL)**: Named the best player in the ISL for the 2017-2018 season.

5. **Golden Boot Winner**: Top scorer in multiple domestic seasons.


Other Notable Achievements

1. **International Recognition**: Named among the AFC Asian Icons by the Asian Football Confederation in 2018.

2. **Global Exposure**: Played for foreign clubs such as Sporting Kansas City in the Major League Soccer (MLS) and Sporting CP B in Portugal.

3. **Contribution to Indian Football**: Widely credited with elevating the profile of Indian football both domestically and internationally.


Sunil Chhetri's dedication, skill, and leadership have made him an enduring figure in Indian football, inspiring countless young players and leaving a lasting legacy.

In the below video  watch some of Chhetri's best goals . 


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