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Chhetri had started is professional football career in Kolkata, 22 years ago, penning a contract with the Mariners, but also played with East Bengal for a brief period of time. Chhetri is a sporting icon in cricket-mad India. The diminutive striker, who is 1.7 metres tall (5ft 7in), made his debut against fierce rivals Pakistan in 2005 and scored India’s only goal. He hit a hat-trick against Tajikistan to help India qualify for the Asian Cup for the first time in 27 years in 2011.
In 2009 he was offered a contract by London club Queens Park Rangers, in England’s second tier, but he could not get a work permit. India’s former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also paid tribute to footballer Sunil Chhetri. Tendulkar shared a picture of Chhetri waving goodbye to the world after his last match. In the caption, the 51-year-old legendary cricketer praised Sunil Chhetri’s scores, saying, “No goal is easy to achieve. Let alone 94 international ones. You’ve held the flag high, Sunil Chhetri. Congratulations on a remarkable career” he added.