FIFA's Tribute Post For Retiring Sunil Chhetri Features Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi; Viral Picture Wins Over Internet

FIFA's Viral Post For Sunil Chhetri: In the biggest news from the Indian sports arena on Thursday (May 16), Sunil Chhetri, India's most prolific goal-scoer at the international level, announced his decision to retire from international football.

READ HERE | Sunil Chhetri Announces Retirement: Top Achievements, Medals, Career Goals, Records Of 'Captain Fantastic'

Chhetri revealed that India's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers match against Kuwait on June 6 in Kolkata will be the final time that he will be wearing the Indian colours.

Soon after the Indian legend announced his retirement, FIFA World Cup also took to its official social media handle to share a tribute post for Chhetri. The picture that has been used in this post in honour of Chhetri witnesses him alongside Crisitiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi often regarded, two of the greatest footballers ever to have played the game in world football.

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The picture symbolises Chhetri being only the third in terms of most number of goals scored in international football among active players with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of him. Overall, he is the fourth highest goal scorer with former Iran forward Ali Daei (108 goals in 148 appearances) standing in between Messi (third with 106 goals in 180 appearances) and Ronaldo (128 goals in 205 appearances). Chhetri currently has 94 goals from 150 matches.

Take a look at FIFA's Viral Post For Sunil Chhetri Featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi:

🇮🇳 @chetrisunil11, the world's third-highest active international goalscorer, will play his final game for @IndianFootball in next month's #FIFAWorldCup qualifiers.

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 16, 2024

Virat Kohli Leaves A Message For Sunil Chhetri

While there were messages that were flooded all over social media as soon as Chhetri announced the decision to retire, one that particularly stood out was that of star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli who addressed the footballer as his brother.

"My Brother ❤️. PROUD," Kohli commented in the post in which Chhetri, aged 39, announced his decision to retire.