A Tribute To Sunil Chhetri – The Man Who Redefined Indian Football
Tribute to Sunil Chhetri, the iconic number 11, who bid a tearful adieu to international football on June 6th after the India vs Kuwait match.
A captain, a hero, an inspiration – Sunil Chhetri has been the heart and soul of Indian football. The iconic number 11 bid a tearful adieu to international football on June 6th after the India vs Kuwait match.
An Emotional Farewell:
The superstar footballer left the entire nation teary-eyed as he stood motionless, with his hands on the hip, a little away from the pack of his teammates in the middle of the ground.
His eyes were blank but they were full of emotions as he looked at his teammates.
Suddenly, the crowd present at the Salt Lake Stadium roared together into “Chhetri, Chhetri” chants, stirring him out of his zone. The crowd gave him a touching tribute by giving him a standing ovation.
His coach Igor Stimac, his teammates, and his coaching staff members were all waiting for him in line to give him the guard of honour. But as he was about to start his lap of honor, he broke down in tears, making everyone, who was present on the ground, emotional.
Later, during the post-match felicitation, which was organized by the Indian Football Association, Chhetri returned to the ground to receive accolades from the Big 3 Clubs — East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and Mohammedan Sporting as well as the state government.
The End Of An Era, A Legacy Unmatched
As a young boy from Telangana, Sunil dreamed of pulling on the jersey of his country. He wasn’t a gifted talent, but he worked hard and sacrificed a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to perfect it on the local pitches. He went on to become India’s most celebrated footballer.
With his unparalleled dedication and remarkable skill on the field, Sunil Chhetri, who scored on his debut against Pakistan 19 years ago, has etched his name in golden letters in the history of Indian football, finishing off as the country’s all-time leading goal-scorer with an impressive tally of 94 goals.
Sunil Chhetri has accomplished incredible things on the global scene. The renowned forward won the Nehru Cup, the SAFF Championship, and the Intercontinental Cup as well as many other honors with the national squad. His leadership both on and off the field has set an example, signifying his humility, tenacity, and everlasting commitment.
Sunil Chhetri carried the nation’s pride on his shoulders for close to two decades, during which he brought a revolution in Indian football and shifted the focus of youngsters to football in a cricket-loving country.
We watched Chhetri ascend through the ranks. We supported him during setbacks and pushed him to continue going after minor and major successes. His journey became our path, a common story of desire, challenges, and at last, pride. The game between India and Kuwait on Thursday, June 6th, marked the end of a golden era.
Thank You, Captain Sunil Chhetri!
Sunil Chhetri’s retirement marks the end of a golden era, however, his legacy and his journey will continue to inspire the generations to come. With his resilience, hard work, and passion, Sunil Chhetri has shown the world that dreams can be achieved, and with hard work, one can pave the way for greatness.
Thank you captain for all the memories and countless thrills. Your legacy will continue to inspire us all. We salute you, Captain!