AIFF Media Team
NEW DELHI: Nineteen years, or in footballing terms a lifetime, is how long Sunil Chhetri graced the national colours. The India number 11, who has played 150 international matches and scored 93 times for the Blue Tigers, is now ready to hang up his prized pair of boots after his last hurrah against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Kolkata on June 6.
While the GOAT (greatest of all time) of Indian Football may be ready to call it a day on his international career, his decision to do so has come as a bit of a surprise to one and all.
All India Football Federation President Mr. Kalyan Chaubey said, “To be honest, the announcement certainly came as a surprise to us. Somewhere inside, we probably were hoping that Sunil Chhetri would extend his career a bit longer. But with respect to the man, who has carried the nation’s dream for nearly two decades now, only he knows his body, the pain and joy he has endured.
“One of the best strikers India has produced is at his peak with no weaknesses. Words cannot define his greatness on the field and even better human being to ever grace the game,” he said. “Congratulations to you Sunil, on what can only be described as an illustrious career. You brought a lot of happiness to us all. Fans and sports enthusiasts from every walk of life aren’t too far off in the long list of people who you have inspired.”
All India Football Federation Acting Secretary General Mr. M. Satyanarayan said, “It would be an understatement to say that Sunil Chhetri’s retirement will be a big loss for Indian Football. We have seen the dedication with which he has played for both club and country.
“Even at the age of 39, he is one of the fittest players on the pitch. Right now, the only thing that we can do is look back on his glorious career and celebrate it,” he said. “We certainly hope that he will do the job for the nation one last time on June 6, but whatever the result may be, he will certainly go down as one of the legends of Indian Football. I would like to sincerely thank him for his massive contribution to Indian Football.”
Former India head coach Sukhwinder Singh had handed Chhetri his first national cap in 2006 in Pakistan. For the retired coach, longevity is Chhetri’s best quality.
“Sunil Chhetri’s biggest quality is his longevity and consistency as a playing member of the national team. From the very beginning, he was extremely serious about his game and did everything to serve the nation for a long time. He is a skillful player and has the special ability to score goals,” said Sukhwinder.
“Over the years he has sharpened his decision-making instinct inside the penalty box to emerge India’s top scorer. This is a special talent which will be hard to replace.”
The eternal superstar of Indian Football, IM Vijayan, who is also an AIFF Executive Committee member and chairman of the AIFF Technical Committee, compared Chhetri’s leadership skills to that of former Indian Cricket Team world cup-winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
“I consider Chhetri a great player, a terrific motivator, and an ideal captain. He is like the MS Dhoni of cricket, who has excelled both as a player and a captain. The kind of discipline Chhetri maintained throughout his career has made him a role model,” said Vijayan. “I tell youngsters like Sahal Abdul Samad and Ashique Kuruniyan to follow Chhetri’s lifestyle if they wish to prolong their careers. It will take some time before we get another footballer like Sunil Chhetri in India.”
Former midfielder Shanmugam Venkatesh has been with Chhetri in the national team both as a player and as a coach. It was, in fact, under Venkatesh’s captaincy that Chhetri made his international debut against Pakistan in Quetta, in 2006.
