• Indian football team's captain Sunil Chhetri has decided to bid farewell to his illustrious international football career.

  • Virat Kohli shared a heartwarming message for his close friend Chhetri.

Virat Kohli’s heartfelt reaction as India’s football icon Sunil Chhetri announces retirement
Virat Kohli and Sunil Chhetri (Image Source: Twitter)

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Indian football team’s captain and veteran, Sunil Chhetri, has decided to bid farewell to his illustrious international career. The 39-year-old announced that the second round of the World Cup qualifiers against Kuwait on June 6, to be held at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, will mark his final appearance for the national team.

India’s football captain Sunil Chhetri announces retirement

In a heartfelt video shared on Instagram, Chhetri reflected on his journey, expressing his fondness for the Indian jersey and recalling the excitement of his unforgettable debut for the national team. With a mix of duty, pressure, and joy, he described the rollercoaster ride of representing his country for 19 years. Chhetri revealed the surreal feeling of reaching the end of his career and affirmed his decision to retire after the upcoming match against Kuwait.

“You know the feeling that I recollect in the last 19 years is a very nice combination between duty pressure and immense joy. I never thought individually, ‘These are the many games that I’ve played for the country, this is what I’ve done, good or bad,’ but now I did it. This last one and a half, two months, I did it and it was very strange. I did it because probably I was going towards the decision that this game, this next game is going to be my last,” Chhetri said.

Virat Kohli’s special message for Chhetri

Following Chhetri’s announcement, numerous celebrities and sports personalities extended their heartfelt wishes and expressed pride in his extraordinary career. Former Indian cricket captain, Virat Kohli, shared a heartwarming message for his close friend, expressing his admiration with a simple yet impactful “My brother ❤️. Proud.”

Virat Kohli's comment
Virat Kohli’s comment (Image Source: Instagram)

Kohli’s friendship with Chhetri is evident, as Kohli often invited him to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) training sessions, showcasing their camaraderie beyond their respective sports.

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Chhetri’s legacy in football

Chhetri’s achievements in international football speak volumes, as he holds the record for the most goals after Cristiano Ronaldo, Ali Daei and Lionel Messi. With 94 goals in 150 appearances for the country, his contribution to Indian football is unparalleled.

Despite retiring from international football, Chhetri will continue to grace the Indian Super League (ISL) with his presence, representing Bengaluru FC. His professional journey began with Mohun Bagan in 2002, leading him to become one of the top goal scorers in international football.

Meanwhile, Kohli will be seen in action for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The match is scheduled to take place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday (May 18).

Tribute from fellow sportsperson

Yuzvendra Chahal, a prominent cricketer known for his bowling prowess, also paid tribute to Chhetri’s remarkable career, congratulating him and acknowledging his incredible achievements. Alongside Chahal his bowling partner Kuldeep Yadav also congratulated the football legend for his remarkable career. Additionally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) posted a heartfelt tribute to Chhetri, recognizing him as an icon not only for football but for Indian sports as a whole.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, India’s starting goalkeeper, also joined the chorus of voices celebrating Chhetri’s career, expressing both admiration and understanding for his decision to retire from international football. As the nation prepares to bid farewell to a football legend, Chhetri’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of aspiring athletes across the country.

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