Sunil Chhetri, a titan of Indian football, retired from international football after the India vs Kuwait match in FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers on June 7. Chhetri had announced on May 16 that this game would be his last and a massive 58,000-strong crowd had gathered at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata to watch the legendary player in action in the international arena for one final time. The match ended in a goalless draw and it marked the last appearance of legendary captain Chhetri in Indian colours. As Chhetri brings his journey with the Indian national football team to an end, a look at his career, which has been nothing short of a fairytale story that most players dream of living. Sunil Chhetri Felicitated by Indian Army's Eastern Command As Former Captain Retires From International Football After India vs Kuwait FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier Match.

Most goals by an Indian in AFC Competitions

A titan of Indian football, Chhetri, has scored a total of 19 goals - the most by an Indian player- in the AFC Cup and AFC Champions qualifiers. He featured in 31 AFC Cup matches and two AFC Champions League (ACL) qualifying games.

Most hat-tricks for India

Along with most international caps and goals, India's most prolific goal-scorer Chhetri has also netted the most number of hat-tricks in international football, four. Sunil Chhetri Shares Emotional Letter With the Media After His Last International Match, Writes ‘Thank You for Playing the Role You Did in Telling My Story’.

AIFF Player of the Year for a record seven six times

Chhetri has won the prestigious All India Football Federation (AIFF) Player of the Year title a total of seven times in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018-19 and 2021-22 seasons. He has also won the FPAI Indian Player of the Year award in 2009, 2018 and 2019.

Highest international goals by an Indian

Chhetri has scored 94 goals in 150 international matches for India, making him the fourth-highest scorer across all of international football. Among the active players, he is only behind stars like Lionel Messi or Argentina (106 goals in 180 matches) and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (128 goals in 205 matches).

First Indian player to score hat-trick in ISL

Chhetri was the first player to score a hat-trick in the Indian Super League (ISL). He achieved the feat in 2015.