Sunil Chhetri, Indian football's brightest star, to hang up his boots

World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on June 6 will be his last game

- VISHAL MENON

Over the past decade, Sunil Chhetri's daily ritual involved waking up at the crack of dawn for a rigorous cardio session, followed by weightlifting exercises and agility drills. The intense workout would be followed by breakfast that included broccoli, chickpeas, sushi, black olives, tuna, red meat and a cup of green tea.

Apart from his God-gifted talents as a footballer, it is this unflinching determination to achieve enviable fitness levels and impeccable work ethic that have helped Chhetri attain longevity in such a physically demanding sport.

On Thursday, Chhetri, 39, widely considered one of the greatest Indian footballers, and also known as the fountain of eternal youth, announced his decision to retire from international football on June 6.

In a video posted on X, 'Captain Fantastic', as he is popularly known, said India's World Cup qualification match against Kuwait next month will be his last international outing.

"The kid inside me will probably keep fighting to play football, but the sensible, mature player and person knows that this is it," he said, adding, "But it wasn't easy." The announcement capped a stellar 19-year career, in which Chhetri single-handedly put the spotlight on Indian football, a sport that is surprisingly marginalised to the fringes in a predominantly cricket-crazy country.

With 94 goals in 150 appearances, Chhetri holds the record of being the third-highest goal-scorer among active players in international football, behind virtuoso greats like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.