New Delhi, India, January 1 (ANI): The pride of Indian Football, Sunil Chhetri, has officially announced his retirement from international football in 2024, ending a remarkable career that spanned over two decades.
Starting from humble beginnings, dreaming of donning the national colours, Chhetri rose to the status of India’s all-time leading scorer and an iconic figure in football. His journey is simply inspiring.
Chhetri made his professional debut with Mohun Bagan in 2002, where he scored eight goals in 18 matches before continuing his career in 2005. Despite a rocky start, his undeniable talent soon attracted the attention of big clubs across the country . His distinguished career includes stints at JCT (2005-08), East Bengal (2008-09), Dempo FC (2009-10), Chirag United (2011), a return to Mohun Bagan (2011-12), and stints with Churchill Brothers (2013 on loan) and Bengaluru FC (2013-15 and 2016-present), thus consolidating his status as a key figure in Indian football.
In total, Chhetri has amassed an impressive 158 goals in 365 club appearances. His international career took off in 2005, when he made his debut for the national team and scored his first international goal. A defining moment in his career came during the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, where his exceptional hat-trick against Tajikistan not only helped India qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup but also catapulted them into the limelight national.
Chhetri also tried his luck overseas, showing his talent with Kansas City Wizards in Major League Soccer in 2010 and Sporting CP in Portugal in the 2012-13 season. These international experiences enriched his playing style, transforming him into a more skilled and dynamic striker.
As captain of the Indian national team, Chhetri’s leadership has been essential. Under his leadership, India experienced what many consider to be the golden era of contemporary Indian football, winning numerous SAFF Championships and Intercontinental Cups. His poignant moment came during the 2018 Intercontinental Cup, when he used social media to mobilize audiences, effectively drawing thousands to the stadium and reigniting passion for the sport in India.
Chhetri’s international tally stands at 94 goals in 150 appearances, placing him firmly as the fourth highest scorer in the history of international football, just behind legends like Lionel Messi (106 goals in 180 matches) and Cristiano Ronaldo ( 128 goals in 205 matches). His club career is replete with numerous accolades, including I-League titles (2009-10 with Dempo and 2012-13 with Churchill Brothers), as well as several championships with Bengaluru FC, such as the I-League (2013- 14, 2015-16), Indian Super League (2018-19), Federation Cup (2014-15, 2016-17), Super Cup (2018) and the Durand Cup (2022).
Chhetri has also been recognized seven times by the highly prestigious All India Football Federation (AIFF) as the Player of the Year (2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018-19, 2021-22) and won the Indian Player of the Year award given by FPAI three times (2009, 2018, 2019). He has been honored with the Arjuna Award (2011) and the Khel Ratna Award (2021), India’s highest sporting honor. Thanks to his leadership, India entered the top 100 in the FIFA rankings for the first time in 2023 since 2018, and Chhetri’s aspiration to see India participate in the FIFA World Cup ignited dreams many fans.
Sunil Chhetri’s odyssey transcends sport; he became a source of inspiration for future generations, demonstrating the heights that can be achieved through unwavering effort and determination.
