Sunil Chhetri announces retirement from international football after Asian Cup qualifiers

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India’s football captain Sunil Chhetri has confirmed that he will retire from international football following the 2026 Asian Cup qualifiers, marking the conclusion of one of the most celebrated careers in Indian sport.

Chhetri, 41, shared the news in an emotional statement, thanking fans, teammates, and coaches for their support over the years. “It’s been an incredible journey wearing the India shirt — every goal, every win, every loss has meant something,” he said.

Widely regarded as one of Asia’s finest strikers, Chhetri has been the face of Indian football for nearly 20 years. With 94 goals in 151 appearances, he retires as India’s all-time top scorer and among the world’s leading active international goal-scorers, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for much of his career.

Beyond statistics, Chhetri is credited with elevating Indian football’s profile globally and inspiring an entire generation of players. Under his captaincy, India won multiple SAFF Championships, the Intercontinental Cup, and qualified for the Asian Cup several times.

Tributes have poured in from fans, players, and football bodies worldwide, celebrating not just his consistency and leadership but also his enduring humility. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said Chhetri’s impact “goes far beyond goals — he changed how India sees football.”