Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri on Thursday said he is enjoying the game and that he is not looking at a retirement anytime soon as he is keeping fit.
The 35-year-old Chhetri, who holds the national record of most international matches and most number of goals, made it clear that retirement plans are currently not on his mind.
“I don’t want to put numbers [on how long I will keep playing]. But I am enjoying my football and I am not going away anytime soon,” Chhetri said in an interaction on the Facebook page of Indian football team.
“I told my wife that I am feeling so fit. I am going to challenge Udanta [Singh] and Ashique Kuruniyan for a sprint. Unless a Sahal [Abdul Samad] scores a lot of goals and pushes me away [from the national team], I am going to be there, playing for the team.”
On Friday, Chhetri completes 15 years of international career since making his debut in Quetta against Pakistan in a friendly series in 2005. He had scored on his debut in the match which was drawn 1-1.
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Since then, he has played 115 matches and scored 72 goals. He is the second highest international goal-scorer among active footballers, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and above Argentine Lionel Messi.
“I am fortunate to have played 15 years for my country. It is a dream, three-four years more probably and it will be [nearly] 20 years. Who would have thought to play 20 years and so I am living my dream,” he said.
Chhetri, however, is almost unlikely to play in a World Cup match as India is out of reckoning for a berth in the 2022 showpiece in Doha while the 2026 edition is a step too far.
“I don’t know about 2026 World Cup. But I would love to see Anirudh Thapa sending a cross to [Sandesh] Jhingan and I would love to watch it from the stands,” he said.
“Till the time I am with the national team, I will give my best.”
‘Racism is rooted in ignorance’
Chhetri also said racism is rooted in ignorance as he offered his views on the raging issue that has triggered violent protests across the world following African-American George Floyd’s death in the US.
Asked about his thoughts on incidents of racism, Chhetri said, “It hurts me like anyone lese. It is bad. But most of time, it is due to ignorance, it is because of not knowing.
“If you catch a person who is talking these things [racist remarks] you will find he is ignorant and not knowing the things.
“You are looking down somebody on the basis of colour or caste or religion, it does not make any sense. There is no logic or truth in that, it should not be done.”
Several international cricketers like the West Indies duo of former World Cup-winning captain Darren Sammy and batsman Chris Gayle have come forward and alleged racial abuse after Floyd’s death at the hands of a police officer.
Sammy, while commenting on the protests, had spoken about being called ‘K***u’ – a derogatory word to describe black people – while playing in the Indian Premier League.
Chhetri said if more people are made aware and educated about the issue, the incidents of abuse will also go down.
Watch the full video here:
(with PTI inputs)
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