“It's a perfect decision” - Subrata Bhattacharya feels Sunil Chhetri will play at club level for a long time post international retirement 

Former Indian national team defender Subrata Bhattacharya recently stated that Sunil Chhetri’s decision to retire from international football is a good decision. He added that Chhetri will get to play at club level for a long time.

Notably, Bhattacharya is the father-in-law of Sunil Chhetri, who played his last international game against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026 on June 6, Thursday, at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

“It's a perfect decision, he (Chhetri) thinks his time has come to retire from international jersey and he could not have chosen a better time," Bhattacharya told PTI.

"This day comes for every sportsperson and it's nothing new. But the good thing is he will play at club level. He is second to none in fitness and I see him playing at club level for a long time after his retirement. Even Chuni Goswami retired in 1966 but played till 1972," he added.

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“I made up my mind to sign him for Mohun Bagan” - Subrata Bhattachary on his first impression of Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri made his international debut as a 21-year-old forward against Pakistan in Quetta in June 2005 and went on to score a goal in his first-ever game in the 65th minute. Remarkably, he became India's highest goal-scorer, scoring 94 goals in 151 games.

During a Mohun Bagan trial in 2002, the 17-year-old Sunil Chhetri put up an acrobatic effort, recreating Shyam Thapa-like bicycle kick that caught Bhattacharya's attention and he immediately signed him up for the club.

"He was small in stature and could go unnoticed but there he was, showing his acrobatic skills with a bicycle kick and scored a goal. It quicky reminded me of Shyam Thapa (former India international) at his peak, and I made up my mind to sign him for Mohun Bagan,” he added.

Sunil Chhetri created numerous records in his international career, including winning the AIFF Player of the Year title for a record seven times. Notably, Chhetri accumulated 94 goals, just behind Cristiano Ronaldo (128), Ali Daei (108), and Lionel Messi (106).