India’s talismanic batter Virat Kohli extended his congratulations to his good friend Sunil Chhetri after the football veteran announced his retirement last week. Chhetri will play his final match for the Blue Tigers on June 6 against Kuwait at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Kohli, who is currently playing for RCB in the ongoing IPL, said he was aware of Chhetri’s retirement before the Indian captain made it public. Kohli said he wishes nothing but the best to Chhetri in this second phase of his life.

Meanwhile, Chhetri will definitely go down as one of the best players ever produced by India. The 39-year-old made his national team debut against Pakistan in 2005 and scored in his maiden game. Chhetri turned out for India on 150 occasions in a career spanning 19 years and scored 94 goals, the fourth highest after Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Al Daei.

Following Chhetri’s announcement, Kohli commented “My brother. PROUD,” on Instagram, showing his support for his friend’s decision.

“He’s a really dear friend,” Kohli revealed in an interview uploaded by Indian Premier League (IPL) side Royal Challengers Bangaluru. 

“He actually messaged me as well, informing me that he’s going to do it. But I would say that he felt like he is at peace with the decision,” he said. 

“I have become very close with him over the years and I wish him nothing but the best. He is a lovely, lovely guy.”

Meanwhile, Chhetri had earlier revealed that he shares a close bonhomie with Virat Kohli. 

“We chat a lot of funny stuff. Having said that, some of the most deep and meaningful chats I have had is with him. We are not chuddy buddies. It’s not that we talk 24×7 everyday. There are phases where we don’t talk for months,” he previously said in an episode of In The Stands.