Sunil Chhetri has announced that he will be retiring from the Indian national team after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier against Kuwait. The national team captain posted a video on his official social media accounts recalling his journey over 19 years and confirming that he would not longer play for the Blues.
The 39-year-old is one of the top international goalscorers in the world, with 93 goals to his name for India in 145 games. And with India, he has won the Intercontinental Cup twice, the SAFF Championship four times, and the AFC Challenge Cup once while winning the Indian footballer of the year award seven different times.
Sunil Chhetri confirms retirement from national team after game against Kuwait
I'd like to say something… pic.twitter.com/xwXbDi95WV
— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) May 16, 2024
Over the last two decades, Chhetri has established himself as one of the most beloved players in Indian football, something he expressed gratitude for in the video.
Interestingly, he also spoke briefly about the problem of number 9s in India with clubs opting to play foreigners in that position over local talent. And with his retirement, he believes that other deserving players will get a chance to play up front in the national team.
It marks the end of an era for Indian football, with Sunil Chhetri spearheading the rise of the sport in the country over the last decade since the introduction of the ISL. Now, he will take to the pitch for the last time in national team colours against Kuwait on June 6, with three points essential to help India progress to Round 3 of the World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
