Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri revealed that even though the decision to retire was not easy, he has no regrets over his call to hang boots. (More Football News)

Chhetri, regarded as one of the greatest football players the country has ever produced, played his last international game against Kuwait in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier match on June 6 earlier this year. The match at the Salt Lake Stadium ended in a goalless draw and with that curtains were pulled down on a legendary career that saw Chhetri compete with football giants like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for most international goals scored among active footballers.

In a podcast with news agency ANI, the 40-year-old opened up on the retirement call.

"It hit me a few days before the game against Kuwait. It hits me now but I knew this was going to happen because this wasn't easy. But no regrets because I think majority wise I took the right decision," Chhetri said.

Chhetri also revealed that it was a well-thought decision to announce his retirement ahead of his final game.

"I felt relief because I genuinely wanted to announce it before the game happens (against Kuwait). At the time I think I thought that I owe this to whoever is a fan. You know, I want to tell them This is what I've decided. It's going to be my last game. After that, I felt relief For like few days," he said. "But then from that moment to one month where the game was supposed to happen It was difficult man."

Chhetri had posted a video on social media to announce his retirement. Talking about the behind the scenes moments of the video, the legendary footballer said that everyone in the studio had teary eyes after the recording.

"I'll give you a small background of this video. Generally, when we make videos, you keep half an hour, an hour as, you know, editing, etc. This was one take, 10 minutes, I was out. This whole video was one take. I sat. I spoke out. The one who's making the video. His name is Kunal... And I asked him. Generally when you make a video. You ask. How was it? What happened? What was the mistake? This was. I spoke. He had tears. The cameraman had tears and I was out," he further added.

Sunil Chhetri started his professional journey as a teenager at Mohun Bagan in 2002. He then made his India debut in 2005. Chhetri helped India win the 2007, 2009, and 2012 Nehru Cup, as well as the 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023 SAFF Championship. He also led India to victory in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, which helped India qualify for its first AFC Asian Cup in 27 years.
Chhetri received the Arjuna Award in 2011, and the Padma Shri in 2019. In 2021, he became the first footballer to get the Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honour.
In a career that spanned over 19 years, the Arjuna Award winner has 94 goals in 150 matches on the international stage.

With ANI Inputs