Sunil Chhetri’s “madness” to push the limits and the hunger to do everything possible to play for the Indian men’s football team is how the Blue Tigers captain managed a 19-year long highly successful career, his ex-teammate and legendary defender Gouramangi Singh said after the former announced his retirement from international football on Thursday.
Chhetri will be playing his last international game on 6 June, against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 second round qualifiers match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
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Gouramangi was Chhetri’s teammate for seven years in the Indian football team.
“I think no one could have said outrightly that he will play for India for 19 years but I knew that he will give his best and push the limits as much as can,” the FC Goa assistant coach reminisced. “We shared the national team dressing room for so many years, till 2013. That madness he has, always ready to do anything to play for India and the hunger that he has is a good example for the youngsters and it was this madness and hunger that allowed him to play international football for so many years.”
The Manipuri defender, who played 71 matches for India, added that Chhetri leaves behind a huge legacy that will serve as an inspiration for aspiring Indian footballers.
“Reaching the highest level is tough but to stay there for so long is toughest and Chhetri did it for so many years. That’s what young players can learn from him. You need to have clarity about your role and keep working hard. He has set an example for everyone.”
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Was he surprised by the timing of Chhetri’s decision?
“We all knew it was coming. We all want to continue playing but there comes a time when you have to hang your boots. The time has come for Chhetri. It’s an opportunity for young players to try to fill his shoes and share the responsibility which Sunil was shouldering alone for so many years.”
“It is an emotional and personal moment from Chhetri. He knew for a couple of months that it was coming and now he has decided that the Kuwait match will be his last. It must have been a difficult decision to make. He also said that the kid in him always wants to play but there comes a time when we have to leave. All the best wishes to him.”
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Asked to pick the best moments from the time that he shared with Chhetri in the national team setup, the former Chennaiyin FC defender recalled how Chhetri made a name for his competitive nature at the very start of his career, something that played a big role behind his footballing success.
“We all know this now that he is very nippy and has a knack for finding spaces. I was a defender and he is a striker so in the early days when we practiced in small spaces, he was so competitive and always wanted to get the ball. He was also very good at meeting the aerial balls but he used to get very serious during the training. He was always very competitive and that also pushed us to do much better,” he shared.
“There are so many memories with him, going out for dinner and shopping. It was always fun. Now that he is taking a step back from international football he will have more time for his family and I am sure he will enjoy that. He has been playing so long for India, he hardly had time for family,” the former India defender signed off.
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