File photo of Sunil Chhetri© AFP

Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac expects fans from all over the country to throng the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata during the country’s World Cup qualification match against Kuwait on June 6, which will also be the last international match for talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri. The match against Kuwait will mark the end of Chhetri’s glittering 19-year international career during which he became India’s top goal-scorer with 94 strikes. He will leave the scene as India’s most-capped player after competing in 151 matches at the end of his swansong contest.

A win against Kuwait will also put India in a strong position to make it to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time in its history.

“Having in mind the importance of the game — with us being perhaps only a win away from qualifying for the third round for the first time, and it being Sunil Chhetri’s farewell game — we expect the Salt Lake Stadium to be packed,” Stimac said.

“I am sure that our supporters will reach Kolkata from all parts of India to help our boys win the game and say thanks and goodbye to Sunil. I am very confident it’s going to be emotional and hopefully, we will find a way to celebrate together after the final whistle,” he said in a release from All India Football Federation.

The team has been in a training camp here for almost two weeks now. The opening week was predominantly focused on gaining fitness levels as the players entered the back end of a busy season. It involved several physical tests and aerobic sessions.

“The boys are doing well. It has been proven more than once that a long camp always helps us. We are working on various aspects of the game, both offensive and defensive,” said the head coach.

“Our fitness levels are getting better each day, and now we enter the phase of working on our tactics. From Monday onwards, we are going to work on positioning, set pieces and transitions.” The Blue Tigers were originally supposed to depart for Kolkata on June 2, but have advanced their travel to the West Bengal capital on May 29 to get a full week of stay in the city and adjust to the conditions better.

“It’s obviously hot and humid here, but we enjoy every training session. The facilities and hospitality are amazing here. But still, we have decided to leave for Kolkata a few days earlier than planned so we can adjust to the humidity better and prepare for the crucial game,” said Stimac. PTI PDS AM PDS AM AM

As Sunil Chhetri sat contemplating how he would break his retirement plans to the world, he knew there was one man who would understand what exactly he was going through and Virat Kohli did not disappoint the iconic Indian football captain. The 39-year-old Chhetri, the most capped India footballer with 150 matches to his credit and the country’s top-scorer with 94 goals, will hang up his boots after the World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6 in Kolkata. Chhetri’s announcement came on Thursday, driven by, what he described as, rather inexplicable instincts. And he chose Kohli as one of his confidantes before going public with his decision.

“I did talk to Virat Kohli before my retirement decision, he is very close to me. I discussed with him because we both understand that we would know this thing exactly the way it is,” Chhetri said in an online media interaction from Bhubaneswar where he is currently part of a national camp for the World Cup qualifiers.

“The ups and downs of sports, this part of retirement, we do understand that the other person would understand,” he added, trying to describe in words the deep bond they have shared over the years.

Earlier on Friday, Kohli had acknowledged the communication from Chhetri and stated that his fellow Delhiite was at peace with the decision.

“He (Chhetri) is a really great player. He actually messaged me as well informing that he’s going to do that. But I would actually say I felt like he is at peace with the decision,” Kohli said in a short video interview on his IPL side Royal Challengers Benagluru’s ‘X’ page.

“I have become very close with him over the years and I wish the best. He is a lovely, lovely guy.” Chhetri and Kohli have often spoken about each other fondly with the former stating that they share jokes and also some deep and meaningful chats whenever they catch up.

“…it just hits the right note,” Chhetri had stated in an earlier interaction.

Kohli was among the first to offer support to Chhetri when he made an emotional plea to fans to show up for the national footballers during the 2018 Hero Cup in Mumbai.

Kohli later described Chhetri as “a man I can call a true friend.” “Very grateful for the friendship we have skip,” he had stated on Chhetri’s birthday in 2022.

Vamika has started batting: Kohli

Kohli, besides talking about Chhetri, also informed that his daughter Vamika has recently started swinging the bat but said he would never force his kids to take up cricket.

Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma recently also welcomed a son, Akaay after the birth of Vamika in 2021.

“My daughter picked up a bat and she is really enjoying swinging the bat. But it’s their choice,” he said.

RCB are currently placed sixth in the IPL standings with 12 points from 13 games and will take on defending champions Chennai Super Kings in a must-win match here on Friday.

RCB made a remarkable comeback with five straight wins after enduring a six-game losing streak to stay afloat in the play-off race. “The month of May has been very good. We found a ray of sunlight. We are glad that we have made the fans happy again,” Kohli said of their fightback.

India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli revealed that ace India footballer Sunil Chhetri messaged him before announcing his decision to retire from international football. A player who redefined the standards of Indian football, Chhetri emerged as an inspiration not only for his nation but also in the international circuit. Taking to his social media handle on Thursday, the footballing icon said he would don the national jersey one last time in an international fixture against Kuwait on June 6.

The third-highest active international goal scorer will receive one last opportunity to play in front of his adoring home fans at the Salt Lake Stadium before he brings the curtains down on a 19-year-long career. In a career that spanned over 19 years, the Arjuna Award winner has 94 goals in 150 matches on the international stage. The most-capped Indian footballer is the third-highest goal-scorer on the global stage with icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi ahead of him.

In an interview on the RCB Insider Show, Kohli praised Chhetri’s modest nature and added that the footballing icon was content with his decision to retire.

Over the years, there has been a healthy relationship between Chhetri and Kohli. Before the IPL 2023 match between RCB and MI at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Chhetri met with Kohli and the team last year.

The Interview you’ve all been waiting for is finally here.

Mr. Nags meets Virat Kohli , cuts a cake to celebrate the 10th year of @bigbasket_com presents RCB Insider Show and relives their friendship over the years.#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/fzJ2EGZrFm

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 17, 2024

“He is a really dear friend. He actually messaged me as well, informing me that he was going to do it. But I would say that he felt like he is at peace with the decision. I have become really close with him over the years and wish him nothing but the best. He is a lovely lovely guy,” Kohli said on the RCB Insider Show.

On his retirement, The record-breaking forward recalled emotional times with his family, stating that his mother and wife were in tears when he informed them of his intention to retire from international football.

“I told my mom, my dad and my wife, my family first, my dad, he was normal, he was relieved, happy, everything, but my mom and my wife started crying and I told them, you always used to bug me that there are too many games, there is too much of pressure when you watch me and now that I’m telling you that, you know, I’m not going to play for my country anymore after this game,” he posted.

Meanwhile, in the IPL 2024, Kohli has been a vital member of the RCB team and holds the top spot in the current Orange Cap holder. With one century and five half-centuries to his credit, Kohli has amassed 661 runs at an average of 66.10 and a strike rate of 155.16 in 13 games.

Sunil Chhetri in action© AFP

Sunil Chhetri to retire after the match against Kuwait on June 6© X (Twitter)

Batting maestro Virat Kohli, 2011 World Cup hero Yuvraj Singh and former star footballer Bhaichung Bhutia were among the leading sports personalities who lauded Sunil Chhetri’s achievements after the iconic India striker on Thursday announced his decision to retire from international football. Chhetri, the long-serving national team captain announced his decision to call it a day after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6.

Commenting on Chhetri’s video post on Instagram, Kohli wrote for his good friend: “My brother. Proud.” Yuvrai called him a legend, saying the legacy of the 39-year-old veteran of 150 national appearances will remain for a very long time.

“A real legend of the game who took Indian football onto the global stage. Your passion has inspired a generation to take up the game… your legacy in Indian sports will be remembered forever…you can look back with pride as you get set for your final game, thank you legend,” wrote Yuvraj in an Instagram story.

Chhetri, who made his international debut in 2005, has scored 94 goals for the country. He will leave the scene as India’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player.

Legendary India forward Bhutia, who Chhetri succeeded as captain, told PTI that it was a great loss for Indian football.

“Sunil, no doubt, will go down as one of the greatest players India had ever produced. His contribution to Indian football is immense. It’s a great loss for Indian football,” said Bhutia, the former India captain.

“I am fortunate to have played with him as senior player. When I came in (I M) Vijayan was senior to me, after that Sunil (Chhetri) came. I am fortunate to have served Indian football in between two stalwarts of Indian football,” added Bhutia.

Cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal, member of the India squad for the T20 World Cup, wished Chhetri a “happy retirement”.

“What a run you have had! Congratulations on an amazing career,” wrote Chahal on ‘X’, while Chhetri’s Bengaluru FC and India team-mate, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, wished he could change his compatriot’s mind.

“Never wanted to see this happen, I wish I could do something to change your mind but I also understand why it is happening bhai. The whole country needs to celebrate your international career on the 6th of June the way you deserve. My Captain,” Sandhu wrote on ‘X’.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said Chhetri will continue to motivate the coming generations.

“Your legacy on and off-the-field will always be remembered! You have always been and will continue to inspire us. Thank you.” BCCI termed Chhetri a “phenomenal icon”, saying his “career has been nothing short of extraordinary and you have been a phenomenal icon for Indian football and Indian sports,” while India spinner Kuldeep Yadav congratulated the legend on a “fantastic career”.

IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru saluted the No. 11 jersey, saying, “What a ride this has been, skipper! 94 international goals, so many laurels, an unbroken conviction and you’ve inspired so many young Indians to dream big. Happy farewell to the No.11 (No.9) but India’s 1,” wrote RCB on ‘X’.

As soon as the Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri announced his retirement after an illustrious 19-year international career, many big names in the world of sports came out to honour and celebrate the face of Indian football. Chhetri announced his retirement on his official social media accounts with a 10-minute video, reminiscing the first time he was called up to represent the national side and about his decision to call time on his career.

The Indian football legend, a player who redefined the standards of Indian football, emerged as an inspiration not only for his nation but also in the international circuit, decided he would don the national jersey one last time in a match against Kuwait on June 6 while playing in front of the home fans at the Salt Lake Stadium, bringing the curtains down on a 19-year-long career.

The Indian cricket legend and Chhetri’s friend, Virat Kohli, also commented on the footballer’s Instagram video, expressing his pride in his “brother”. He stated, “My Brother, PROUD.”

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued a poignant tribute on Chhetri’s retirement, hailing the 39-year-old as an icon not only for football but also for sports as a whole.

Your career has been nothing short of extraordinary and you have been a phenomenal icon for Indian football and Indian sports. Go well, Captain! #TeamIndia https://t.co/g2a0yXRv5i

— BCCI (@BCCI) May 16, 2024

“Your career has been nothing short of extraordinary and you have been a phenomenal icon for Indian football and Indian sports. Go well, Captain! #TeamIndia,” BCCI posted on X.

India’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sadhu also responded to the announcement on social media, saying he wishes he could alter Chhetri’s mind but understands why he made the choice and urged the people to enjoy his incredible career with the national team.

“Never wanted to see this happen, I wish I could do something to change your mind but I also understand why it is happening bhai. The whole country needs to celebrate your International career on the 6th of June in the way you deserve. My Captain,” Gurpreet commented on Chhetri’s post.

Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal wished Chhetri a happy retirement on X and wrote, “What a run you have had! Congratulations on an amazing career @chetrisunil11 Happy Retirement, legend.”

What a run you have had!

Congratulations on an amazing career @chetrisunil11

Happy Retirement, legend pic.twitter.com/eWnEm1W616

— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) May 16, 2024

Chhetri featured at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and was first named the national team captain at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers and led India to yet another Nehru Cup trophy in 2012.

In a career that spanned over 19 years, the Arjuna Award winner has 94 goals in 150 matches on the international stage. The most-capped Indian footballer is the third-highest goal-scorer on the global stage with icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi ahead of him.

Sunil Chhetri in action during Asian Games 2023© X (formerly Twitter)