Indian soccer icon Sunil Chhetri arrives on the NSCBI Airport in Kolkata, on May 29, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Approaching his worldwide retirement, Indian soccer talisman Sunil Chhetri on Wednesday mentioned he stays indebted to his teammates, and the game, for serving to him change into one of many nation’s biggest gamers.
The Indian workforce arrived within the metropolis for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier towards Kuwait on June 6, which would be the 39-year-old Chhetri’s last outing within the blue jersey.
All eyes had been on the goal-machine because the gamers exited the airport.
Dilemma
“These last few days, I’ve been caught in a bit of a dilemma.
“Now that there’s a number to my days with the national team, what’s the right route to take — do I count every day, every training session? Or do I simply turn up without the thought of how this is coming to an end?” mentioned Chhetri.
Chhetri, who has scored 94 targets from 150 worldwide appearances, mentioned he’s counting his blessings day-after-day.
“Over time, I seemed to have found middle ground. 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 apprehension. Instead, there’s a feeling of being indebted to the sport, to my team, that I get to do this.
“If I could, I would capture this feeling in a box. Or instead, I’ll take it to my next training session.”
Any India match within the City of Joy attracts a lot fanfare. However, this isn’t simply any worldwide recreation.
Earn three factors, and the Blue Tigers will take an enormous leap in direction of a first-ever look in Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, whereas additionally inching nearer to automated qualification for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
Chhetri had earlier this month introduced that June 6 can be his final look within the worldwide area.
After Bhubneswar, the India quantity 11 and the opposite 26 round him will proceed their coaching camp in Kolkata, the place they are going to have their first on-field coaching session on Thursday.
Source: www.thehindu.com
