Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri has announced his retirement from international football. The team's star forward player Chhetri gave this information by sharing a video on his social media account on May 16. He told that he will play his last match against Kuwait on 6th June.
Chhetri said in the video I first told my parents and wife about this decision. My father was happy, but my mother and wife started crying.
Why is Sunil Chhetri retiring?
Sunil Chhetri posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), in which he said that he has not decided to retire due to fatigue or any other personal reason. Instead, he wants India to provide opportunities and nurture young strikers who are ready to shine.
Sunil Chhetri, the leading goalscorer in Indian football history, is the third-highest goalscorer among globally active players (fourth overall), behind only Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi.
Sunil Chhetri goals in international football
| Competition | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| SAFF Championship | 27 | 23 |
| FIFA World Cup Qualifiers | 23 | 10 |
| Nehru Cup | 14 | 9 |
| AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers | 12 | 8 |
| AFC Challenge Cup | 8 | 4 |
| Intercontinental Cup | 11 | 13 |
| AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers | 6 | 3 |
| AFC Asian Cup | 8 | 4 |
| King's Cup | 1 | 1 |
| Merdeka Cup | 1 | 1 |
| International Friendlies | 18 | 39 |
Sunil Chhetri Awards
- Arjuna Award: Chhetri was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2011 for his achievements in football.
- AIFF Player of the Year: Sunil Chhetri won this award seven times (2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019).
- Padma Shri: Chhetri was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, in 2019.
- Khel Ratna Award: He received the Khel Ratna Award in 2021.
- Football Players Association of India (FPAI) Indian Player of the Year: Chhetri is a multiple-time recipient (2009, 2018 and 2019) of the FPAI Indian Player of the Year award.
- International goal scoring: Chhetri is ranked third among active international goal scorers, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
- ISL Leading Goal-Scorer: Consistently one of the top goal-scorers in the ISL.
- AIFF Federation Cup Best Player: Awarded for outstanding performance.
- Golden Boot: Wins in various domestic and international tournaments.
- Intercontinental Club Hero: Named during the 2017–18 Indian Super League (ISL) season.
- SAFF Championship Top Scorer: multiple editions (2011, 2021 and 2023).
- SAFF Championship Player of the Tournament: Chhetri won the award in 2011, 2015 and 2021.
Sunil Chhetri Club Goals
| Club (Year) | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Mohun Bagan (2002–2005) | 18 | 8 |
| JCT (2005–2008) | 48 | 22 |
| East Bengal (2008–2009) | 17 | 9 |
| Dempo (2009–2010) | 13 | 8 |
| Kansas City Wizards (2010) | 1 | 0 |
| Chirag United (2011) | 7 | 7 |
| Mohun Bagan (2011–2012) | 14 | 8 |
| Sporting CP B Team (2012–2013) | 3 | 0 |
| Churchill Brothers (2013) | 8 | 4 |
| Bengaluru FC (2013–2015) | 43 | 16 |
| Mumbai City (2015–2016) | 17 | 7 |
| *Bengaluru FC (2016) | 14 | 5 |
| Bengaluru FC (2016–present) | 161 | 64 |
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