#sunilchhetri #indianfootball

In what could be labelled as a piece of heartbreaking news for Indian football fans, Sunil Chhetri, the most celebrated player and icon, has decided to hang up his boots. In a video message on social media, Chhetri announced that his final game would be against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6. Chhetri is among the top goal-scorers in the world and according to fans, his retirement is the end of an era. Here are some of the fan reactions that are doing the rounds on social space.
“The feeling that I recollect in the last 19 years is a very nice combination of duty, pressure and immense joy,” Chhetri said in the video message.

“I never thought individually these are the games I’ve played for the country, this is what I’ve done good, I’ve done bad. But, now I did it, this last one-and-a-half two months. It felt very strange,” he said. “I did it because I was going towards the decision that the next game was going to be my last.”

“Every training that I do with the national team, I just want to enjoy. The game against Kuwait demands pressure, we need the three points to qualify for the next round. It’s hugely important for us,” the skipper said.

As of now, Chhetri, who happens to also be the most capped Indian footballer, stands tall with third most international goals (94 in 150 matches) among the currently active players, behind Argentine legend Lionel Messi (106 in 180 matches) at number two and the leader Cristiano Ronaldo (128 in 205 matches), the legend from Portugal.