May 29th 2024.
Bhubaneswar: The excitement in the world of football is palpable as we eagerly await June 6th, when one of the greatest icons of the sport, Sunil Chettri, will grace the field for the final time in the Blue Tigers' jersey against Kuwait at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium.
In an emotional nine-minute-long video posted on social media on May 16th, Chhetri announced his retirement from the game. He also took to Instagram to share his thoughts and feelings leading up to his last game. "These past few days have been a bit of a struggle for me. Now that I know the exact number of days I have left with the national team, I can't help but wonder how I should approach each day and training session. Should I count them down or just focus on the present without thinking about the end?" wrote the Indian skipper.
But after some contemplation, Chhetri found a balance. "They say, count your blessings. And every single day I get to be on the pitch is a blessing that I've never taken for granted. So I've decided to count my sessions, but with a deep sense of gratitude. There's no fear or sadness, just a sense of duty and gratitude towards the sport and my team for allowing me to play," he added.
In his Instagram post, Chhetri also expressed his desire to capture this feeling and take it with him to his next training session. His final game against Kuwait will be a momentous occasion as he bids farewell to his illustrious international career as the top scorer for the national team.
India's match against Kuwait is crucial for their chances of progressing to the next round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. And with a formidable opponent like Qatar awaiting them in their last game on June 11th, Chhetri and the team are determined to give their all and secure a win.
Chhetri's retirement has left a void in Indian football that will be hard to fill. His impact on the game over the last two decades has earned him fans from all corners of the country. And as India prepares to say goodbye to its most loyal player at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, it will undoubtedly be an emotional and memorable encounter. But for now, Chhetri and the Blue Tigers are focused on their training camp in Bhubaneswar, gearing up for the two critical matches ahead.
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