Sunil Chhetri, an Indian football star, has announced his retirement from international competitions.

Sunil Chhetri, a legendary Indian footballer, has declared that he will retire after his final match in June.

In a video released on X on Wednesday, he stated that India's World Cup qualification match against Kuwait on June 6 will be his final international game.

Chhetri, 39, a forward, has been India's football captain for more than a decade. He is widely recognized as India's best football player of all time.

In an almost 10-minute video on X, the Indian football icon stated that his decision was not simple.

The rational, mature athlete and person realizes that this is it, but the child inside will probably keep fighting to play football, he said.

Chhetri also thought back on his two-decade career, what motivated him, and how he ultimately came to the conclusion that "this is it."

The first day I ever played for my nation is one that I never forget and frequently think back on. "Man, that was just amazing," he exclaimed.

And that's when I started remembering everything—that is, when I realized that, yes, this game would be my last. Everything appeared, every single flash. I thus concluded that this is it.

Football and other sports are frequently neglected in a nation like India that is obsessed with cricket, and athletes suffer from a lack of support and interest in their sport.

However, Chhetri's contributions throughout the past 20 years have succeeded in drawing attention to Indian football.

Several significant triumphs for the national team have been steered by him, including the SAFF Championship in 2011, 2015, and 2021; the Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009, and 2012. Most notably, he helped India win the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which allowed them to qualify for their first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years.

With stints at Portugal's Sporting CP reserves and the USA's Kansas City Wizards, his talent quickly propelled him to worldwide prominence.

He has worn the jerseys of elite teams in India, including Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, East Bengal, and Dempo.

With 94 goals for his nation, Chhetri holds the record for both most goals scored and most caps in Indian history.

He is the only active football player with more goals scored for his country behind Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Lionel Messi of Argentina.

Indian football fans have long been curious about who will captain the squad once Chhetri retires, and their curiosity has been piqued by his statement.

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