Sunil Chhetri Announces International Retirement at 39; India vs Kuwait World Cup Qualifiers To Be His Last

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Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri, amidst preparations for the crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kuwait, made a heartfelt international announcement of retirement on Thursday -- May 16.

After 20 illustrious years representing India, the 39-year-old captain revealed that his last international match will be against Kuwait on June 6.

In a poignant video shared on social media platform X, Chhetri reflected on his remarkable journey, encapsulating the blend of duty, pressure, and immense joy experienced over 145 caps for his country. With 93 goals to his name, Chhetri is set to leave behind a legacy that will forever be etched in Indian football history.

"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," Chhetri expressed in the emotional message. "I did it because I was going towards the decision that the next game was going to be my last."

He is likely to continue his club career after playing the last season with Bengaluru FC as he didn't mention anything about complete retirement. However, he did confirm that the do-or-die match against Kuwait on June 6 at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium is going to be his 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. "But in a strange way, I don't feel the pressure because these 15-20 days with the national team and the match against Kuwait is the last," said.

The match could very well be the last for Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac too as his job has been on the line since India's embarrassing performances against lower-ranked Afghanistan back in March after the AFC Asian Cup debacle.