The World Comes Together to Bid Farewell to Sunil Chhetri with 94 goals from 151 games, Chhetri retired as the fourth most prolific scorer in international football history.
On Thursday, people all over the world came together to say goodbye to Sunil Chhetri. Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, FIFA, and Croatia’s Luca Modric joined forces to make the Indian football icon’s farewell truly worldwide.
With 94 goals from 151 games, the 39-year-old retired as the fourth most prolific scorer in international football history. For a player whose nation is still having difficulty establishing itself in the world of football, it is an amazing accomplishment.
India was held to a goalless draw by Kuwait in this 2026 World Cup qualifier, marking his final game wearing the blue jersey.
Soon after the game in the crowded Salt Lake Stadium, FIFA wrote on X, saying, “After 19 years of service, farewell, @chetrisunil11.”
94 international goals, according to a tweet from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). carried the aspirations of a country! Thank You, Sunil Chhetri, the Asian Football Icon.”
Indian cricket legend Tendulkar wrote on X to congratulate Chhetri on his incredible career, saying, “No goal is easy to achieve.” not to mention 94 worldwide ones. Sunil Chhetri, you’ve flown the flag with pride. Greetings on a fantastic career!”
On social media, Premier League India posted, “Every football fan today.” He cannot be replaced by us. We are unable to.” Viren Rasquinha, a former hockey captain for India, too complimented Chhetri on his outstanding career.
“In my opinion, Sunil Chhetri’s reputation extends beyond the goals he scored for India and the length of his professional career. It’s also his leadership, work ethic, never-say-die attitude, and teamwork. But above all, his behavior is that of a role model. In Indian sports, we need more Sunil Chhetris,” tweeted Rasquinha.
“After praising Chhetri so much, I’m quite concerned about Indian football. It hurt to watch that for ninety minutes. We were uninspired, unfast, and had hardly a chance on the Kuwaiti goal. unable to connect four passes at once. A lot of reflection is required for a game that we all enjoy,” he continued.
All the Indian Premier League (IPL) teams honored Chhetri that evening, praising him as the supreme player in Indian football.
Before Thursday’s play against Kuwait, Real Madrid star and Croatian captain Modric praised Chhetri as a “legend of the game” and brought an end to his illustrious career.
Igor Stimac, the coach of the Indian team, posted a video message in which Modric remarked, “Hey Sunil, I would like to greet you and wish you luck in your final game with the national team.” “Congratulations on your career, you are a legend of this game. To your teammates, I hope you make his last game special and unforgettable,” remarked Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric.
“I hope your captain has success and wins. “From Croatia, with all the best wishes and best regards,” declared Modric, the World Cup runner-up in 2018 and 2022 bronze winner.
With 94 goals, Chhetri retired as the fourth highest in the all-time list of goal-scorers in international football behind Cristiano Ronaldo (128), Ali Daei (108) and Lionel Messi (106).
Here are the Highlights of India vs Kuwait, FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifier match –
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