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Sunil Chhetri
on Thursday announced his decision to retire from international football after the country's FIFA World Cup qualification match against Kuwait on June 6.
The national team captain announced his decision via a video he posted on his social media accounts.
The 39-year-old striker made his international debut against Pakistan on 12th June 2005 and scored his first goal for India in the same match.
WATCH CHHETRI ANNOUNCING HIS RETIREMENT
As of now, Chhetri stands tall with third most international goals (94 in 150 matches) among the currently active players, behind Argentine legend Lionel Messi (106 in 180 matches) at number two and the leader Cristiano Ronaldo (128 in 205 matches), the legend from Portugal.
He is also the most capped Indian footballer.
Chhetri's decorated career saw him winning the AIFF Player of the Year award on six occasions, besides receiving the Arjuna Award in 2011 and the Padma Shri in 2019.
On the international stage, Chhetri has been part of the title-winning Indian teams in the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008, the SAFF Championship in 2011 and 2015, the Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009 and 2012, as well as the Intercontinental Cup in 2017 and 2018.
Going into Chhetri's last international outing next month, India are currently second in Group A off FIFA World Cup qualifiers with four points, behind leaders Qatar. Kuwait are fourth with 3 points.
More to follow...
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