Only a few players become legends in their playing days and India football team captain Sunil Chhetri belonged to that rare tribe, India's head coach Igor Stimac said in a glowing tribute to the talismanic skipper, who will hang up his boots on June 6.

"He knows best how he feels and when it's the appropriate time to do things. I just wish we all do everything to make June 6 very memorable for him and all Indian football fans," Stimac told the-aiff.com.

"He became a legend while still playing and that’s something only a few can do. He's an inspiration to everyone," Stimac added.

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia said Chhetri's sheer hard work, passion and professionalism made him different from other players of his generation.

"As a young boy, he was always willing to learn and do everything possible (to excel)," Bhutia said.

"We had a great understanding as a strike partner and we enjoyed it. I am honoured to have played along with him," Bhutia said.

"When I came in, (IM) Vijayan was senior to me and when I was about to retire, Sunil came in."

Former India player Rennedy Singh, who saw Chhetri develop as a lethal striker, said: "He should enjoy the last few days of his international career in the same way that he when he started playing for India."

Commenting on Chhetri's video post on Instagram, India's cricket superstar Virat Kohli wrote: "My brother. Proud."

The All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey said the announcement came as a surprise to him. Acting secretary-general M Satyanarayan thought Chhetri's retirement would be a big loss. Shaji Prabhakaran, the former secretary-general of the AIFF, also heaped praise on Chhetri.