NEW DELHI:
Indian cricket superstar
Virat Kohli was among the first to react to Sunil Chhetri’s announcement of his retirement from
international football
.
On Thursday, Chhetri, a legendary figure in
Indian football
, revealed that the upcoming match against Kuwait would be his final appearance for the national team.
The announcement, made via a video on Chhetri’s social media handles, marks the end of an illustrious career.
Chhetri announced that the match against Kuwait, part of the second round of the
FIFA World Cup qualifiers
, will be his last game donning the national colors. The game is scheduled to take place at the
Salt Lake Stadium
on June 6. Currently, India stand second in Group A with four points, trailing behind Qatar.
Virat Kohli, a close friend of Chhetri, responded to the news with a heartfelt comment on Instagram, saying, "My Brother, PROUD."
In an interview posted by the
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
(RCB) on Friday, Kohli elaborated on his reaction and the message he received from Chhetri.
"He actually messaged me as well, informing me that he is going to do it," Kohli revealed. "But I would say that he felt like he is at peace with the decision. Over the years, I have become really close with him. I wish him nothing but the best. He is a lovely lovely guy."
Kohli's comments underscore the deep friendship between two of India’s sporting icons. Their mutual respect and admiration have been evident over the years, with both athletes often supporting each other publicly.
As the sports community gears up to bid farewell to Sunil Chhetri, his contributions to Indian football are being celebrated across the nation. Chhetri’s legacy includes inspiring a generation of footballers and significantly elevating the profile of the sport in India.
The upcoming match against Kuwait is set to be an emotional event, not just for Chhetri and his fans, but also for friends like Kohli, who have shared in his journey.
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