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

Former Indian defender Subrata Bhattacharya feels his son-in-law Sunil Chhetri has taken a perfect decision to retire from International football. Bhattarcharya reckons the veteran will keep playing at the club level for a long time after hanging his boots for India.

The talisman recently played his last International match for the Blue Tigers in the World Cup qualifiers against Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Thursday. The match ended in a goalless draw and thus the team could not give a fitting farewell to Chhetri.

However, Chhetri had a glorious career at the top level, spanning for 19 years. He scored a total of 94 goals in 151 appearances for the national team and he is the fourth-highest goal-scorer after Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Al Daei. Chhetri will continue to play for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.

“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.

Meanwhile, Bhattacharya recalled his first impression of Sunil Chhetri. A 17-year-old youngster came for Mohun Bagan trial and he immediately caught Bhattacharya’s eyes with a bicycle kick, which reminded for the former Indian player of Shyam Thapa.

“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.

Chhetri will look to keep going strongly at the club level.