After stunning the footballing world with the news of his retirement, ace India marksman Sunil Chhetri revealed that he was enjoying every moment of being with the national side. A player who redefined the standards of Indian football, Chhetri emerged as an inspiration not only for his nation but also in the international circuit. Taking to his social media handle on Thursday, the footballing icon said he would don the national jersey one last time in an international fixture against Kuwait on June 6. Sunil Chhetri Retirement: The Backbencher and Prankster Who Will Finish As India’s Most-Capped and Top Goal Scorer of All-Time.

The match will provide him one last opportunity to play in front of his adoring home fans at the Salt Lake Stadium before he brings the curtains down on a 19-year-long career. In a video he shared on X (formerly Twitter) the India captain reminisced the first time he was called up to represent the national side.

Sunil Chhetri Announces His Retirement

The fourth-highest international goal scorer recalled the 'immense joy' he felt playing for India. He said he arrived at the difficult decision over the last few months that the forthcoming game would be his last for the country.

The 39-year-old underlined that he made the decision organically and not under the influence of any external factors. The record-breaking forward recalled emotional times with his family, stating that his mother and wife were in tears when he informed them of his intention to retire from international football.

Chhetri kicked off his professional football journey with Mohun Bagan in 2002. Chhetri helped India win the 2007, 2009, and 2012 Nehru Cup, as well as the 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023 SAFF Championship. He also led India to victory in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which helped India qualify for its first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years.

The footballing icon received the Arjuna Award in 2011 and the Padma Shri in 2019. In 2021, he became the first footballer to get the Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honour. 'My Brother, PROUD' Virat Kohli, BCCI and Others Pay Tribute to Sunil Chhetri As Indian Football Legend Announces International Retirement.

In a career that spanned over 19 years, the Arjuna Award winner has 94 goals in 150 matches on the international stage. The most-capped Indian footballer is the third-highest goal-scorer on the global stage with icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi ahead of him. (ANI)

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