Current Context : Indian football icon and captain of the national team Sunil Chhetri announced his decision to retire from international football after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6.

Sunil Chettri’s Football Carrer

• 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.
• He boasts an impressive record, standing third among currently active players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo by securing 94 international goals in 150 matches.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

• He has achieved six AIFF Player of the Year awards, the Arjuna Award in 2011, and the Padma Shri in 2019.
• He 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.