India Football Team skipper Sunil Chhetri decided to hang up his boots from International Football. While quite a few wondered as to exact reason, Chhetri himself went on to reveal the exact reason. Chhetri claimed that it wasn’t his age or the physical factor that made him take the decision.
After 150 games and 94 goals under his belt, Chhetri decided to call it ends at the International level. Sunil claimed that it was not the physical aspect but the mental attribute that made him take the decision. He claimed that he feels fit and fine, but now that he has grown old, his mentality and priorities has changed.
Not Physical, but Mental
“It wasn’t because of the physical aspect. I feel fit, running, chasing, defending. As I have aged, I have done better. It is the mental part. It started with an instinct, I can’t explain. It just came as an instinct. The physical part is the easiest part, the difficult part is here (points to the head). When you grow older, a lot of things change, your priorities change,” Sunil Chhetri said in a media interaction.
Chhetri claimed that he went on to explain his decision to head coach Igor Stimac and the latter understood. Sunil is set to don the National colours for the very last time on 6th June when India take on Kuwait in the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
What’s Next for Sunil Chhetri?
It is not the end for him. Chhetri will continue his club football in the Indian Super League (ISL). He claimed that after 6th, he would cry a lot on 7th and from 8th he would go for a short break. And then from the 1st week in July, Chhetri would begin his pre season camp with Bengaluru FC.
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