Sunil Chhetri announces retirement from international football: His notable records
Football legend Sunil Chhetri has announced that he will retire from international football after playing India's FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Kuwait on June 6. Chhetri informed about his decision to retire through a heartfelt video posted on social media. Chhetri, one of the most decorated footballers, is set to finish as India's highest goal-scorer. Have a look at his notable records.
WATCH: Chhetri announce his retirement
Most goals for India in international football
Chhetri has been a goal-scoring machine for the Indian team for nearly two decades. The Indian maestro has netted 94 goals from 150 internationals so far, the highest for India by a fair distance. Chhetri has the fourth-most international goals overall after Cristiano Ronaldo (128), Ali Daei (108), and Lionel Messi (106). No other player has more than 90 international goals.
Only Indian with over 100 international games
Chhetri made his debut back in 2005 against Pakistan in an international friendly. It is worth noting that Chhetri remains the only player to have featured in over 100 international games for India. He owns 150 caps for India at present, with Bhaichung Bhutia following him with 88 appearances. Among active players, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has registered 70 appearances for India.
Most goals for India in ISL
Chhetri's goal-scoring prowess also extends to the club level. He has netted 61 goals in the Indian Super League (ISL) in 155 appearances, the highest goal-scorer for India and also the second-highest overall. Only Nigerian forward Bartholomew Ogbeche is ahead of him with 63 goals from 98 appearances. Fijian ace Roy Krishna is third with 55 goals from 107 matches.
Four hat-tricks in internationals
Chhetri is one of only two Indians with multiple hat-tricks in international football, the other being K Appalaraju. The former has recorded four hat-tricks so far, with his latest coming against Pakistan at the 2023 SAFF Championship. Chhetri's other international hat-tricks have come against Tajikistan (2008), Vietnam (2010), and Chinese Taipei (2018). Notably, India's last four hat-tricks have been scored by Chhetri.
Goals in three different decades
Chhetri is the only player for India to score in three different decades. He scripted this record by scoring a brace against Bangladesh in the World Cup Qualifiers last year. Chhetri's first international goal came against Pakistan in June 2005. He then scored against Vietnam in October 2010 before doing so against Bangladesh in June 2021. Notably, Chhetri slammed multiple goals in those games.
Other notable achievements of Chhetri
Chhetri has won several trophies in his illustrious career. Last year, he claimed his fourth SAFF Championship title (2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023). The 39-year-old also bagged three Nehru Cup honors in 2007, 2009, and 2012. He has clinched two Intercontinental Cup titles in 2018 and 2023 plus a Tri-Nation Series trophy (2023). Chhetri also won the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008.
Only footballer with Khel Ratna
In 2021, Chhetri became the first-ever Indian footballer to claim the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the nation's highest sporting honor. He was among the 12 athletes to win this prestigious award that year.
