"Every save, every dive, every roar of the crowd will forever echo in my soul" - PR Sreejesh pens emotional message ahead of final appearance

Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper, PR Sreejesh, is gearing up for his last-ever international match on Thursday (August 8), as India take on Spain for the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. This game isn't just another match—it's the final chapter in Sreejesh's extraordinary career, which began in 2006 and saw him become the backbone of Indian hockey.

PR Sreejesh, who has played 328 games for India, had already announced his retirement before the Olympics, making this match against Spain his swansong on the international stage.

Reflecting on his journey, Sreejesh, took to X, formerly Twitter to share his emotions.

"As I stand between the posts for the final time, my heart swells with gratitude and pride. This journey, from a young boy with a dream to the man defending India's honour, has been nothing short of extraordinary," PR Sreejesh wrote.

"Today, I play my last match for India. Every save, every dive, every roar of the crowd will forever echo in my soul. Thank you, India, for believing in me, for standing by me. This is not the end, but the beginning of cherished memories. Forever a custodian of dreams. Jai Hind," he concluded.

His illustrious career includes four Olympic appearances and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Over the years, Sreejesh has collected numerous accolades, including the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021 and the World Games Athlete of the Year award. His back-to-back FIH Goalkeeper of the Year awards in 2021 and 2022 further highlight his status as one of the best in the world.

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PR Sreejesh and Indian men's hockey team look to defend Tokyo Olympics bronze at Paris 2024

India face Spain with the pressure of expectations. After a hard-fought 3-2 loss to Germany in the semifinals, Craig Fulton's team now has a chance to win back-to-back Olympic medals.

While India are favored to win, Spain have shown they can be unpredictable, pulling off big wins against teams like Germany and Belgium but also suffering heavy defeats.

India will be strengthened by the return of Amit Rohidas, who is back after serving a suspension. With PR Sreejesh playing his final match, the team will be driven to secure a podium finish, not just for themselves, but as a fitting tribute to a true legend.

The bronze-medal match kicks off at 5:30 PM IST on August 8, and the nation will be watching as Sreejesh bids farewell to international hockey, hoping to add one last medal to his remarkable career.