Sunil Chhetri, an Indian football player, officially announced his retirement with his final match on June 6 during the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Kuwait in Kolkata. Chhetri played a pivotal role in the sport for around two decades (19 years). Let’s see his golden career filled with remarkable achievements and unforgettable moments as fans celebrate his contribution. He is a true icon of Indian football.
Early Life and Beginnings
Sunil Chettri was born on August 3, 1884, in Secundrabad, Andhra Pradesh (now Telangana), India. Since his childhood, he has been interested in football. His mother was a former Nepal women’s national team player who influenced him to choose sports as his career, and she played a significant role in nurturing his passion for football.
Rise to Prominence
Sunil Chettris’s professional career began when he joined Mohan Bagan in 2002. He earned quick recognition for his skill and dedication to the game, and he became one of the youngest players in Indian football. By 2005, he had made his first step towards an international career and played for the Indian national team against Pakistan, scoring the first goal for India with an impressive start.
Career Highlights
Major Achievements
Sunil Chhetri qualified for the first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years. He led India to victory in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup by scoring 94 international goals, which made him the fourth-highest international goal scorer. It is said that Sunil Chhetri brought joy to Indian football fans throughout his career.
Chhetri’s tenure at Bengaluru FC saw him win the India Super League title in 2018–2019 and the Federation Cup in 2014–2015 under his captaincy.
Clubs Played For
Sunil Chhetri played for nine clubs over the years. Each game added to his growth, reputation, and courage to move forward. Here are the clubs he played for.
- Bengaluru FC
- Mohun Bagan
- JCT Mills Football Club
- East Bengal
- Kansas City Wizards
- Dempo
- Mumbai City FC
- Churchill Brothers
- Chirag United
The Announcement
View this post on Instagram
Sunil Chhetri announced his decision to retire from international football in an Instagram video. He revealed that his final game for India would be during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers match against Kuwait on June 6 in Kolkata. In the video, he concluded the 19-year-long journey representing India and shared lows and highs.
Reactions from fans and players
After the announcement, social media was flooded with tributes. #ThankYouChhetri and #LegendChhetri trended to show widespread love and respect for him.
Sunil Chhetri’s Awards
The Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has won numerous awards throughout his career. Here are some of the major awards he has won and his year.
- Arjuna Award (2011
- Padma Shri, 2019
- AIFF Player of the Year: 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018-2019, 2021-2022
- ISL (Indian Super League): 2017-2018
- FPAI Indian Player of the Year: 2009, 2018, and 2019
FAQs
Q1. What is the age of Sunil Chhetri?
He is 39 years old and was born on 3 August 1984.
Q2. Is Chhetri married?
Yes, he is married to Sonam Bhattacharya, daughter of legendary Mohun Bagan player Subrata Bhattacharya. They have a son named Dhruv who was born on 30 August 2023.
Q3. How many goals did Sunil Chhetri make for India?
He has played 150 times for India and scored 94 goals. He is the third-highest scorer of international goals after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
