Sunil Chhetri, the captain of the Indian men’s football team, announced on Thursday that he will retire from international football after the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on June 6.
In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), the 39-year-old striker revealed his decision to step down from representing his country, with his final appearance for India set to take place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
Reflecting on his nearly two-decade-long journey in national colors, Chhetri described it as a mix of duty, pressure, and immense joy. Despite acknowledging the significance of the qualifier against Kuwait, he expressed a sense of calmness, knowing that it would mark his farewell to the Indian team.
Chhetri emphasized his desire to savor every moment with the national squad, especially during training sessions. While recognizing the importance of securing a victory against Kuwait for qualification, he admitted to feeling less pressure due to the realization that this stint with the team and the upcoming match would be his last.
Since making his senior debut in 2005 against Pakistan, Chhetri has been a prominent figure in Indian football, assuming the role of captain in 2010. He led the team to triumphs in the 2012 Nehru Cup and four SAFF Championships in 2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023.
With 94 goals in 150 appearances, Chhetri ranks fourth on the list of all-time leading goal-scorers in international football, trailing only Lionel Messi, Ali Daei, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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