The Indian hockey team played its last match against Spain in the Paris Olympics 2024, it was the bronze medal match of men's hockey. In this match, the Indian team won the bronze medal in the Olympics for the second consecutive time. At the same time, this is the 13th medal of Indian hockey in the history of the Olympics. With this historic victory, the career of an Indian team player has also ended. This player is none other than goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who is called the wall of Team India.

18 year long career ended

India's experienced goalkeeper and former hockey team captain PR Sreejesh had announced before the Paris Olympics that this would be his last international tournament. PR Sreejesh played a total of 4 Olympics for India and also won Olympic medals for India twice. Let us tell you, PR Sreejesh started his career with the junior team in 2004, after which he joined the senior team in 2006.

He has been a member of the Indian team that won the gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games and the bronze medal in the 2018 Asian Games. Apart from this, Sreejesh has been a member of the joint winning team of the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018, the gold medal winning team of the 2019 FIH Men's Series Finals in Bhubaneswar and the silver medal winning team in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Honored with these awards

PR Sreejesh was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021. Apart from this, he also received the World Games Athlete of the Year Award in the year 2021. He is only the second player from India to win the World Games Athlete of the Year Award. He has also become the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021 and 2022. He also got a chance to lead the Indian team during his career.

This post was shared before the last match

Sreejesh also shared a note for the fans on a social media post before stepping on the field for the last time. Sreejesh wrote, 'As I stand between the goalposts for the last time, my heart fills with gratitude and pride. This journey from a little boy's dream to a man who defends India's honor has been extraordinary. Today I am playing my last match for India. Every save, every dive, every roar of the crowd will always resonate in my soul. Thank you, India, for believing in me and standing with me. This is not the end, but the beginning of good memories.