In the farewell match of India’s legendary footballer Sunil Chhetri, India and Kuwait played to a goalless draw. Although India did not secure a win in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the nearly one lakh fans at Salt Lake Stadium showered Chhetri with immense love and admiration.
After the match, Chhetri was visibly emotional, with tears in his eyes, reflecting the sentiments of the audience who were also moved to tears. He made a heartfelt round of the stadium, thanking the spectators with folded hands for their unwavering support.
When the Indian team gave him a ‘guard of honour,’ Chhetri was overcome with emotion and started crying. During the match, India had several opportunities but failed to capitalize on them. The draw left India with five points, meaning they must now wait to advance to the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. India’s last group match is against the formidable Qatar.
A Sea of Supporters for Chhetri’s Last Match
Thousands of spectators filled the stadium to bid farewell to Chhetri, most of them donning his iconic number 11 jersey. They shared a collective regret that they would no longer see their favourite player representing India on the field.
Chhetri had announced that the World Cup qualifier against Kuwait would be his final international match, making this an unmissable event for his fans who wanted to see him play for India one last time.
A Touching Moment with Jamuna Das
Chhetri, seated next to the driver, was the first to get off the bus. He approached ‘lozenge fly’ Jamuna Das, an East Bengal supporter known for attending every match at the ground, and gave him a heartfelt hug before heading towards the field. As Chhetri stepped onto the field, the tricolour flags waved proudly, and chants of ‘Chhetri Chhetri’ echoed throughout the stadium.
Best Wishes from the Chief Minister
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X, ‘Welcome to Sunil Chhetri on a new journey. A new phase of your life is beginning. You were the golden boy of Bengal, captain of the Indian team, sports icon of Asia, world-class goal scorer, and achiever of many accomplishments. I am sure you will continue to excel in your future endeavours.’
