Fare thee well, Sunil Chhetri

With arms outstretched, he stood before a sea of adoring fans, capturing their hearts within the expansive embrace of the giant Kanteerava Stadium. In that fleeting moment, Sunil Chhetri wielded an invisible force over the amassed ranks of Indian fans, as if he cast a spell.

Then, like the breaking of a dam, euphoria cascaded through the stadium. The stands quivered and dissolved into a tumult of exultation, a cacophony of joy, relief, and validation reverberating throughout the colossal arena.

On the field, Chhetri was engulfed by his jubilant teammates, the culmination of not just scoring a sublime freekick, but orchestrating its genesis, conjuring it with the finesse of a master craftsman that he really is. Finally, he had achieved his objective, securing India's ticket to the AFC Asian Cup for a record fifth time.

18 years and 94 international goals prior, a youthful Chhetri, aged 20, found himself limping amidst the jeers of 20,000 fervent Pakistani fans at the Ayub National Stadium in Quetta. Undeterred by adversity, it was his debut for India, a moment he refused to let slip by without a bid for glory.

The breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute of a tense stalemate. A deflected volley from former captain Climax Lawrence found its way to Chhetri, who pounced with the agility of a predator. With a swift turn, he unleashed a blistering shot, skimming past the outstretched fingertips of the goalkeeper.

Then, pandemonium ensued. In a rush of adrenaline-fueled ecstasy, Chhetri leapt over the barriers, charging towards the animated crowd. Their reaction, a mix of astonishment and indignation, marked the surreal inception of one of Indian football's most inspiring tales.

Also Read: KL Rahul vs Sanjiv Goenka row: ‘There is no harm in being respectful'

Chhetri's journey to illustrious stardom has been one of unwavering resolve and dedication. Born into a lineage of sporting prowess, his father a stalwart of the Indian Army team and his mother a former Nepali player, alongside her twin sister, Chhetri inherited a competitive spirit. Echoing Sachin Tendulkar's tribute to his mother, Sunil acknowledges his mother, Sushila Chhetri, for igniting the flames of ambition within him.

What perhaps distinguishes Chhetri is his choice of unconventional role models. Despite the allure of football icons like David Beckham or Diego Maradona, Chhetri finds inspiration in boxing legend Mary Kom. His playing style increasingly mirrors Mary's trademark grit and tenacity, evolving from a mere spark plug to a strategic maestro without compromising his goal-scoring prowess.

His remarkable feats on the pitch speak volumes, an 80-yard dash leaving seven defenders floundering, a deft chip over Kenya's hapless goalkeeper, a barrage of headers and precise strikes shattering Indian records, all of it combined.

In the pantheon of football legends, Chhetri's name holds its own. Though he ranks third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in international football, his achievement is no less monumental.

Unlike Ronaldo and Messi, who hail from football-obsessed nations and bask in the glory of elite club football, Chhetri's journey is rooted in representing a nation more accustomed to the periphery of the global football landscape. India's football heritage predates its cricketing dominance, yet it has often languished in the shadows of the latter's popularity. Still, Chhetri's ascent serves as a beacon of hope, reminding fans of India's past glories and untapped potential.

If one was to talk about all the spectacular things you do on the pitch, Chhetri would be here for ages. His incredible statistics and numbers are seldom an indicator to define his contribution and importance.

As the final act concludes this remarkable career, it's time to pause and contemplate the journey of a lifetime. With reverence, we acknowledge: "Though you've taken your final bow and departed the field, the reverberations of Sunil! ... Sunil! will continue to resound across stadiums long after your exit. For there was, and forever will be, only one Sunil."