As soon as the Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri announced his retirement after an illustrious 19-year international career, many big names in the world of sports came out to honour and celebrate the face of Indian football. Chhetri announced his retirement on his official social media accounts with a 10-minute video, reminiscing the first time he was called up to represent the national side and about his decision to call time on his career. Sunil Chhetri Announces Retirement: One Last Dance Against Kuwait, India Football Icon Draws Curtain on International Career (Watch Video).

The Indian football legend, a player who redefined the standards of Indian football, emerged as an inspiration not only for his nation but also in the international circuit, decided he would don the national jersey one last time in a match against Kuwait on June 6 while playing in front of the home fans at the Salt Lake Stadium, bringing the curtains down on a 19-year-long career.

Sunil Chhetri Announces Retirement

 

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A post shared by Sunil Chhetri (@chetri_sunil11)

The Indian cricket legend and Chhetri's friend, Virat Kohli, also commented on the footballer's Instagram video, expressing his pride in his "brother". He stated, "My Brother, PROUD."

Virat Kohli Pays Tribute to Sunil Chhetri 

Virat Kohli Pays Tribute Sunil Chhetri (Photo Credit: Twitter/@ANI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued a poignant tribute on Chhetri's retirement, hailing the 39-year-old as an icon not only for football but also for sports as a whole.

BCCI Official Tweet

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu Pays Tribute Sunil Chhetri

Meanwhile, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) also wished Chhetri, who is widely regarded as the country's greatest footballer ever.

Kolkata Knight Riders Official Tweet

Yuzvendra Chahal Pay Tribute to Sunil Chhetri

RCB Official Tweet

 

Chhetri featured at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and was first named the national team captain at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers and led India to yet another Nehru Cup trophy in 2012. Virat Kohli Reacts As Sunil Chhetri Announces Retirement from International Football.

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.