Sunil Chhetri gets guard of honour as he bids adieu to international football after 19 yrs; WATCH viral video

By Sunita Iyer | First Published Jun 6, 2024, 9:38 PM IST

Legendary Sunil Chhetri's final international match ended in disappointment as India were held to a goalless draw by visiting Kuwait in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier on Thursday.

Legendary Sunil Chhetri's final international match ended in disappointment as India were held to a goalless draw by visiting Kuwait in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier on Thursday. In a country starved of major footballing achievements, it was not the ideal farewell for a player who had inspired a new era for football fans in this region.

🥹🐐 𝟭𝟵 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝟵𝟰 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶!

💙 Sunil Chhetri's Bharat Army forever.

📷 Pics belong to the respective owners • … pic.twitter.com/DwtJrNaExr

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy)

🥹🇮🇳🫶 pic.twitter.com/n0qMb4NQp9

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup)

The result leaves India in a precarious position for advancing to the third round of qualifiers. Following the draw, India has accumulated five points and will face Asian champions Qatar in their final match on June 11. Kuwait, with four points, will play against Afghanistan on the same day.

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Chhetri, after being intrinsically tied to Indian football for 19 years, was seen in tears after the final whistle of the clash was blown. A sea of blue, with most fans donning Chhetri's No. 11 jersey, erupted at the Salt Lake Stadium as the long-serving India captain bid drew curtains to his international career.

Chhetri also received a guard of honour from his teammates and the Indian football team staff, who cheered the legend as he was accompanied by his parents, Kharga and Sushila, and his wife, Sonam Bhattacharya, for his final appearance.

SUNIL CHHETRI GETS GUARD OF HONOUR...!!! 🇮🇳

- The legend of Indian football has retired.pic.twitter.com/lDrPl6sv3o

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)

Thanks you for your service
No words
Jut a emotions

💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/AW1W1H5qhv

— Roshan Meher (@rmeher474)

It's wonderful to have witnessed your brilliance, Sunil Chhetri sir! You're a true icon, the pride of India. Your absence will be deeply felt, but your legacy will forever shine bright. You've been the gem of the team, and it's been an honor to watch you excel on the field. Thank… pic.twitter.com/kDrEA0Dmep

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952_)

With 94 goals so far, the 39-year-old Chhetri is set to retire as the fourth highest in the all-time list of goal-scorers in international football behind Cristiano Ronaldo (128), Ali Daei (108) and Lionel Messi (106).

This remarkable achievement for a player from India was recognized by FIFA when Chhetri announced his international retirement on May 16.

Chhetri will continue playing club football for "two more years." He has a contract with the Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC until next year.

Chhetri scored in his debut match against Pakistan on June 12, 2005, in a 1-1 draw in Quetta, but did not find the net on Thursday, despite the game also ending in a draw. He had a quiet performance throughout the match.

Several fans took to social media to thank Chhetri for his contribution towards the sport. Here's a look at some of the reactions:

Adieu Captain 💙
19 years, 94 goals and countless memories. Thank you for everything, Sunil Chhetri. pic.twitter.com/NcUcHie6T4

— Mayukh Biswas (@MayukhDuke)

Thank You Sunil Chhetri 🫡 pic.twitter.com/TJtSdZEH6R

— Pushkar (@musafir_hu_yar)

| |

India legend takes his final bow before getting a guard of honour in ! was visibly in tears during the lap around the stadium pic.twitter.com/WAeg3F5nms

— Rahul ® ⎷ (@RahulSadhu009)

Thank you captain. Thank you for everything 🥺🙏💙 pic.twitter.com/ewyj87GTW5

— 𝓝𝓲𝓻𝓪 🤍 (@Littlemsfirefly)

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲🐐 || pic.twitter.com/jBFnmsJSD3

— Sir BoiesX (@BoiesX45)

𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓, 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅. 🙌

Here's to an incredible career ! ✨ pic.twitter.com/V0vfbdqmfQ

— NBA India (@NBAIndia)

The man who carried the 𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 on his back! ❤️

Your journey brought us joy we'll never forget. Thank you for the unforgettable memories, Skipper. 🥺🫶 pic.twitter.com/3L3Imt3FCl

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL)

Thank You Sunil Chhetri 🇮🇳

94 Goals, 151 appearances, 4 hat-tricks and 11 international trophies.

But more than the stats and numbers the way you've promoted football, inspiring a new generation of players, that will be your greatest legacy.

Captain, Leader, Legend 🫡 pic.twitter.com/aUj1BKmuJh

— Johns (@JohnyBravo183)

Thank you 🐐
you've been an inspiration 💙 pic.twitter.com/DbPlXxByik

— Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1)

THE LAST DANCE HAS ENDED...!!!!

- Thank you, Sunil Chhetri for all the memories & taking Indian football to a great level. 🇮🇳 👏 pic.twitter.com/7Ed5tUCLRZ

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)

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