In Pictures: Sunil Chhetri’s Iconic Career Moments

The Indian football great Sunil Chhetri is set to retire from international football after a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier game against Kuwait on June 6. Here are some of Chhetri’s numerous iconic career moments across his international career of more than 18 years.

Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Chhetri made his senior India debut against Pakistan on 12 June 2005 in Quetta. He also scored his maiden goal in the fixture.

Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Then 24-year-old Chhetri helped India to win the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup for the first time. He was the top-scorer for the nation (four goals), including a hat-trick in the final of the tournament against Tajikistan.

Photo: S Subramanium

Chhetri contributed to India’s victorious 2011 SAFF Championship campaign with his seven goals.

Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

Chhetri topped the goal-scorer’s chart with four goals to his name aiding India win the 2012 Nehru Cup.

Photo: S. Gopakumar

As a captain, Chhetri led India to the 2015 SAFF Championship triumph scoring joint- most goals for the country (3).

Photo: Prashant Nakwe

In the 2018 Intercontinental Cup, Chhetri was the best player of the tournament as the Indian forward scored eight goals (most in the tournament).

Photo: MURALI KUMAR K

In 2023, he led India to its ninth SAFF title while being the most valuable player of the tournament for his five goals, including a hat-trick versus Pakistan.

Photo: MURALI KUMAR K

Chhetri is the world’s fourth-highest goal-scorer with 94 international goals.

Photo: PRASHANT NAKWE

Chhetri is India’s most capped football player with 150 appearances.

Photo: PRAKASH SINGH

Sunil Chhetri is the first footballer to receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

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Chhetri made his senior India debut against Pakistan on 12 June 2005 in Quetta. He also scored his maiden goal in the fixture.

Photo: Sandeep Saxena