Former India captain Virat Kohli penned a heartfelt note for Sunil Chhetri as he announced his retirement from international football today. Kohli, known for his sportsmanship and respect for athletes across disciplines, took to social media to honour Chhetri’s illustrious career and his invaluable contribution to Indian football.

Taking to social media X, formerly Twitter, Kohli’s said, Sunil Chhetri is a true legend of Indian football, his passion, dedication, and unmatched skill have inspired millions. Wishing best for Chhetri’s future, Kohli also said Indian football will always be grateful.

Board of Control Cricket for India (BCCI) also took to their official social media handle and reshared the video of Sunil Chhetri, saying, his career has been nothing short of extraordinary and he has been a phenomenal icon for Indian football and Indian sports. Go well, Captain, the post added.

Apart from Kohli, several other sports personalities also took to social media to express their gratitude and admiration for Chhetri. Star badminton player PV Sindhu to boxing champion Mary Kom, athletes from various disciplines paid tribute to Chhetri’s impact on Indian sports.

Sindhu in a tweet that she feels proud to have shared the field with him. She also mentioned that his dedication and passion for the game have been truly inspiring, and wished him the best for the future.

Mary Kom congratulated Sunil Chhetri on an incredible career. The boxing legend hailed Chhetri’s commitment to the sport and for the country. She also wished him all the best for his future endeavors.

Beyond the realm of sports, Chhetri’s retirement resonated with fans who admired his humility, resilience, and love for the game. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of India’s most revered sports personalities serves as a testament to the power of dedication and perseverance.

Meanwhile, Sunil Chhetri’s retirement marks the end of an era in Indian football, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations of athletes across the nation. The India football captain will play his last match on June 6 against Kuwait.

Former India captain and Royal Challengers Bangluru (RCB)’s star player Virat Kohli has unveiled his post-retirement plans. The cricketer hinted that once he finishes his career, he won’t appear in the limelight for a duration of time and will be on hiatus before taking the next step.

While Virat Kohli has typically kept his retirement intentions under wraps, he recently made a notable statement, articulating his aspiration to conclude his career with no regrets and to continue giving his utmost until he decides to step away from the game.

Ahead of the RCB’s big clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), at the Royal Gala Dinner in Bengaluru, the 35-year-old cricketer shared insights into his contemplations about life after retirement from cricket. He expressed the significance of acknowledging the finite nature of a sports career. He conveyed a proactive approach towards planning for the eventual conclusion of his playing days, emphasizing the need to confront this reality head-on. Kohli underscored his determination to avoid any semblance of regret by meticulously addressing all unfinished objectives and aspirations before bidding farewell to the sport that has defined his existence.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli currently leads the list of top run-scorers in the ongoing IPL 2024, having amassed an impressive 661 runs in 13 innings at a striking strike rate of 155.16 and an outstanding average of 66.10. His remarkable performance includes 5 fifties and one century. Despite Kohli’s stellar contributions, RCB is on the fifth position on the IPL table with 12 points from 13 matches.

Following the IPL, Virat Kohli is gearing up to represent India in the ICC T20 World Cup, with the aim of ending India’s ICC trophy drought. Initially, there were uncertainties about Kohli’s inclusion in the squad, fueled by reports suggesting selectors’ concerns about his T20 approach. However, Kohli silenced his critics with sensational power-hitting and a high strike rate during IPL 2024, reaffirming his indispensability to the Indian team.

Legendary Indian football player Sunil Chhetri announced on Thursday that he will be retiring from international football following the June 6 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Kolkata against Kuwait, capping off an incredible two-decade career.

The veteran captain of the national team made his announcement in a video that he shared on social media. India is currently trailing leaders Qatar by four points in Group A.

Chhetri said, looking back on the past 19 years is a mixture of duty, pressure and extreme happiness. He said, he had never imagined that he would play so many games for the country, whether they were good or bad, but during the past two and a half months, he has. And that was a pretty strange feeling. He then though he was coming toward the conclusion that this match (against Kuwait) would be his last, Chhetri remarked.

Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has had a spectacular career spanning more than 20 years. This talented forward has made a name for himself both on the international stage and in domestic competitions. Chhetri will play his final game at the same place where he made his India debut 19 years ago, call it a coincidence or a twist of fate. To maintain their chances of earning a ticket in the World Cup Qualifiers Round 3, India must win their match against Kuwait. India, with four points from four games and a current ranking of second in Group A, will play their last group stage match against Qatar. Only the two best teams advance.

Chhetri’s journey began in 2002 with Mohun Bagan. With stints at the Sporting CP reserves in Portugal (2012) and the Kansas City Wizards in the USA (2010), his talent quickly took him overseas. He wore the jerseys of elite teams in his native India, including Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC, Dempo, and East Bengal. Chhetri saw real success with Bengaluru, where he won titles in the I-League (2014, 2016), ISL (2019), and Super Cup (2018). In 2016, he guided them all the way to the AFC Cup final.

Sunil Chhetri’s performance at clubs is wonderful, his international achievements are what really make him special. India’s triumphs in the SAFF Championship (2011, 2015, 2021) and the Nehru Cup (2007, 2009, 2012) have been greatly aided by him. 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.