I instinctively felt that I needed to leave the national team, and I am doing so at a time when there are so many good players waiting to take my place, says Chhetri.
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

Sunil Chhetri prefers to be remembered as a hard-working footballer who gave his best for the country. This is what the owner of a record 150 caps for India had to say a day after announcing that he will retire from international football after the second round match (of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers) against Kuwait. The match will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium here on June 6.

“When people think about me, I should be remembered as a hard-working person. I could play 150 matches because of it. A lot of attributes are required for a player to do well, but this is one characteristic that I want to leave behind me,” Chhetri said during a media interaction on Friday.

Sunil Chhetri’s Indian national team career and achievements | In pictures

“And of course I want to be remembered as the most good-looking player too,” he added with a chuckle when asked about the legacy he wished to leave behind.

The India captain said that he never aspired for records and was happy contributing to the national team for 19 years.

“I am filled with gratitude and have no hollow feelings as when I started my journey with the Indian team I never thought I would be scoring these many goals. At no point did I think of scoring 100 because it was never a part of any planning or dream. I am really fortunate that I could play 150 matches and could score 94 goals for my country,” he said.

Chhetri said that the decision was more instinctive and had nothing to do with fitness. “I was fighting within and analysing every day. Ten to fifteen days after the match against Afghanistan (March 26) I decided to retire. It is of prime importance that I bring value to the team.

“Sometimes it may happen that I am carried by the team, and that is something I never wanted. I instinctively felt that I needed to leave the national team, and I am doing so at a time when there are so many good players waiting to take my place,” he said.

Chhetri said that his next focus is on doing well for Bengaluru FC in the next ISL season.

Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri. File
| Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar

Sunil Chhetri prefers to be remembered as a hard-working footballer who gave his best for the country. This is what the owner of a record 150 caps for India had to say a day after announcing that he will retire from international football after the second round match (of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers) against Kuwait. The match will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium here on June 6.

“When people think about me, I should be remembered as a hard-working person. I could play 150 matches because of it. A lot of attributes are required for a player to do well, but this is one characteristic that I want to leave behind me,” Chhetri said during a media interaction on May 17.

Sunil Chhetri’s Indian national team career and achievements | In pictures 

“And of course I want to be remembered as the most good-looking player too,” he added with a chuckle when asked about the legacy he wished to leave behind.

The India captain said that he never aspired for records and was happy contributing to the national team for 19 years.

“I am filled with gratitude and have no hollow feelings as when I started my journey with the Indian team I never thought I would be scoring these many goals. At no point did I think of scoring 100 because it was never a part of any planning or dream. I am really fortunate that I could play 150 matches and could score 94 goals for my country,” he said.

Chhetri said that the decision was more instinctive and had nothing to do with fitness. “I was fighting within and analysing every day. Ten to fifteen days after the match against Afghanistan (March 26) I decided to retire. It is of prime importance that I bring value to the team.

“Sometimes it may happen that I am carried by the team, and that is something I never wanted. I instinctively felt that I needed to leave the national team, and I am doing so at a time when there are so many good players waiting to take my place,” he said.

Chhetri said that his next focus is on doing well for Bengaluru FC in the next ISL season.

Virat Kohli with Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri. File
| Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar

Star India cricketer Virat Kohli, who is a good friend of national football captain Sunil Chhetri, says the stalwart is at peace with his decision to retire after a World Cup qualifying match next month and had informed him before announcing it to the world.

Chhetri, India’s most capped (150 matches) player and also the country’s top goal-scorer (94), on May 16 announced that he will retire after the game against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6.

“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.

Sunil Chhetri’s Indian national team career and achievements | In pictures 

“I have become very close with him over the years and I wish the best. He is a lovely, lovely guy.” Kohli also informed that his daughter Vamika has recently started swinging a bat but said he would never force his kids to take up cricket.

Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma were blessed with a daughter Vamika, in 2021 and recently also welcomed a son, Akaay.

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