Sunil Chhetri has Announced his Retirement from International Football: A Sea of Blue Fills Salt Lake Stadium for His Final Match
A sea of blue filled Salt Lake Stadium as devoted fans, many clad in Chhetri’s iconic No. 11 jersey, gathered to witness the legendary Indian captain’s final international match against Kuwait.
Despite the packed stands and fervent support, an eerie emptiness lingered in the air as Sunil Chhetri, who had been inextricably linked to Indian football for an illustrious 19 years, bid farewell with no obvious successor in sight.
Sunil Chhetri, the first player off the team bus, made his way to the ground, pausing to greet fans and Maidan’s famed Lozenge Mashi. A huge poster read, “Sonar Sunil.” Tomay hrid majhare rakhoo (Golden Sunil). I will keep you in my heart.
Amid deafening cries of “Sunil, Sunil” and “Vande Mataram,” he rushed energetically onto the field, a real reflection of his undying spirit. Despite a close scoring chance, the match ended without him adding to his 94-goal total. The parting was heartbreaking, representing the end of an era in Indian football.