It’s not about me and my last match: Sunil Chhetri on eve of international retirement

Sunil Chhetri downplays retirement hype, focuses on crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Kuwait in Kolkata.

Indian football team talisman Sunil Chhetri on June 5 played down the hype around his last international match and sought to bring the focus back to the team's crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Kuwait in Kolkata.

A win on June 6 will almost guarantee the Indian team a maiden appearance in the third round of the FIFA World Cup, the finals of which are scheduled to be held in USA, Canada and Mexico in 2026.

Chhetri last month announced that the second leg match against Kuwait would be his last in international football, having enjoyed a glorious career spanning 19 years.

"I think most of us have met already 20 days back and we have spoken about my last game. That's done," Chhetri said on the eve of the second round match.

"We are here only and only to speak about Kuwait and India and I'm trying really hard to not think about this game like this." An emotional Chhetri requested the scribes not to keep asking him about his retirement "again and again" so that they can play with a free mind.

"I again request... it's not about me and my last name, it's about us and Kuwait. And inside me I'm fighting a small battle, please don't make it worse asking 'how are you feeling', again and again.

"Only you guys who are putting this question... We don't talk about it in the dressing room. We are still the same, we are still having fun. There is not a talk about the last game, we are done with it.