New Delhi: Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri might have bid farewell to his international career, but he remains deeply attached to the team's fortunes and says he will do everything in his power to take the country to the "promised land".
Speaking at a function attended by President Droupadi Murmu, who kicked off the trophy tour of the Durand Cup football tournament, Chhetri said India will one day reach the level that the people of the country dreamed of.
"I have experienced many ups and downs in my career, but one thing is constant: one day we will reach the level we have all dreamed of," said Chhetri, who retired from international football last month after breaking a slew of national records.
Chhetri will continue to play in the Indian Super League as his contract with Bengaluru FC ends next year. He has not yet decided when he will leave national football.
"I can't do much now that I'm retired, but I will do everything I can to take India to that promised land. We have a lot to work on, but we will be where we want," Chhetri, who turns 40 next month , he said without giving more details.
Chhetri spoke about the future of Indian football at a time when football in the country has been in a state of turmoil for the past few weeks after the team failed to qualify for the third round of the World Cup qualifiers. FIFA, which led to the dismissal of Coach Igor Stimac.
Chhetri had said during his playing days that instead of thinking about when India will qualify for the World Cup, the country should first hope to be among the top 20 in Asia and then rise to the top 10, before giving one last chance to the four-year-old masterpiece.
During Chhetri's 19-year illustrious career, India has been among the top 20 in Asia, but not the top 10. India currently ranks 22nd in Asia and 124th in the world, a sharp drop in a year.
By July 2023, India had entered the top 100 in the FIFA rankings following their victories in the Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championship.
Talking about the Durand Cup, which begins in Kolkata on July 27, Chhetri recalled how he was "discovered" and rose to national fame after playing in the centenary tournament in 2002 for Delhi club City FC.
"I was discovered in this tournament when I was playing for a club from Delhi. This is not just a tournament. There is a lot of tradition and history of Indian football associated with it," said Chhetri, who led Bengaluru FC to the Durand Cup title. win in 2022.
"The Durand Cup is the springboard for many talented players in this country," said the former captain of Asia's oldest tournament (and the fifth oldest in the world), which was first held in Shimla in 1888.
Chhetri was named one of the five promising players of the 2002 edition of the Durand Cup held in Delhi. Mohun Bagan spotted him during the tournament and called him to Kolkata for the trials.
Speaking at a function attended by President Droupadi Murmu, who kicked off the trophy tour of the Durand Cup football tournament, Chhetri said India will one day reach the level that the people of the country dreamed of.
"I have experienced many ups and downs in my career, but one thing is constant: one day we will reach the level we have all dreamed of," said Chhetri, who retired from international football last month after breaking a slew of national records.
Chhetri will continue to play in the Indian Super League as his contract with Bengaluru FC ends next year. He has not yet decided when he will leave national football.
"I can't do much now that I'm retired, but I will do everything I can to take India to that promised land. We have a lot to work on, but we will be where we want," Chhetri, who turns 40 next month , he said without giving more details.
Chhetri spoke about the future of Indian football at a time when football in the country has been in a state of turmoil for the past few weeks after the team failed to qualify for the third round of the World Cup qualifiers. FIFA, which led to the dismissal of Coach Igor Stimac.
Chhetri had said during his playing days that instead of thinking about when India will qualify for the World Cup, the country should first hope to be among the top 20 in Asia and then rise to the top 10, before giving one last chance to the four-year-old masterpiece.
During Chhetri's 19-year illustrious career, India has been among the top 20 in Asia, but not the top 10. India currently ranks 22nd in Asia and 124th in the world, a sharp drop in a year.
By July 2023, India had entered the top 100 in the FIFA rankings following their victories in the Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championship.
Talking about the Durand Cup, which begins in Kolkata on July 27, Chhetri recalled how he was "discovered" and rose to national fame after playing in the centenary tournament in 2002 for Delhi club City FC.
"I was discovered in this tournament when I was playing for a club from Delhi. This is not just a tournament. There is a lot of tradition and history of Indian football associated with it," said Chhetri, who led Bengaluru FC to the Durand Cup title. win in 2022.
"The Durand Cup is the springboard for many talented players in this country," said the former captain of Asia's oldest tournament (and the fifth oldest in the world), which was first held in Shimla in 1888.
Chhetri was named one of the five promising players of the 2002 edition of the Durand Cup held in Delhi. Mohun Bagan spotted him during the tournament and called him to Kolkata for the trials.
