 "Sunil Chhetri retires: The records and achievements that made him an Indian football legend")
Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri is set to retire from international football on 6 June in Kolkata after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait. Chhetri, who made his India debut in 2005 against Pakistan, has played in a record 150 matches for the Blue Tigers during which he not only became the most popular Indian footballer but also helped Indian football carve out a space for itself in a cricket-mad country.
“I’m really fortunate in my life. There have been so many amazing things that have happened to me. I practically live a dream, but nothing comes close to playing for the country,” an emotional Chhetri said in a video announcing his decision to retire.
Read: What all did Chhetri say in his retirement announcement video
As the “captain, leader, legend” gets ready to hang his boots, we take a look at some of the records that made him an Indian football legend.
Most matches and most goals: Chhetri’s 150 matches for India is the highest for a Blue Tigers footballer. In these 150 matches, he scored 94 goals which is the most for an Indian footballer.
Only behind Ronaldo and Messi: With 94 goals, Chhetri is third in the list of highest international goal-scorers among active players and is only behind Cristiano Ronaldo (128) and Lionel Messi (106). He is also fourth in the all-time list of international goal-scorers.
Football in three continents: Apart from playing in India, Chhetri also took part in foreign leagues. In 2010, he played for the Kansas City Wizards in the USA’s Major League Soccer and also spent some time with the B side of Sporting Clube de Portugal in 2012.
ISL goal record: With 61 goals in 155 matches, Chhetri is the highest Indian goal-scorer in the Indian Super League. He was also the first Indian to hit a hat-trick in ISL when he scored three goals against NorthEast United FC while playing for Mumbai City FC in 2015.
Trophies won by Chhetri:
Jawaharlal Nehru Cup in 2007, 2009 and 2012
AFC Challenge Cup in 2008
Hero Intercontinental Cup in 2018 and 2023
Hero Tri-Nation Cup in 2017 and 2023
SAFF Cup in 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023
Major achievements:
First Indian to score 50 international goals
Scored four hat-tricks for India. Vs Tajikistan in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup Final at New Delhi; Vs Vietnam in 2010 Friendly at Pune; Vs Chinese Taipei in 2018 Intercontinental Cup at Mumbai; Vs Pakistan in 2023 SAFF Cup
Only Indian to score a hat-trick in the final of an International Tournament – AFC Challenge Cup at New Delhi – 2008
Scored in three finals of the SAFF Cup 2011, 2015-16 and 2021
Scored at least one goal in his first, 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, 125th and 150th matches
Awards won:
Arjuna in 2011
Padma Shri in 2019
Khel Ratna in 2021
Asian Icon by the AFC in 2018
AIFF Player of the Year in 2007, 2011, 2013,2014, 2017, 2019
FPAI Player of the Year in 2009 and 2018
AFC Challenge Cup Most Valuable Player in 2008
SAFF Player of the Tournament in 2011
Hero of the Intercontinental Cup in 2018
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