Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri: The 40-year-old Sunil Chhetri had announced his retirement from International football in June last year but Chhetri has decided to come out of his international retirement to help the national team in the FIFA friendly assignment scheduled this month.
Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri is Back:
Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has decided to come out of retirement to help the team in the upcoming FIFA international window, starting March 2025, announced AIFF on Thursday. Chhetri had announced his retirement from the national team in June last year.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) made the announcement in a post on X on Thursday. “The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March,” wrote the AIFF on X.
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AIFF quoted Marquez as saying, “The qualification for the Asian Cup is very crucial for us. Given the importance of the tournament and the matches ahead, I discussed with Sunil Chhetri about making a comeback to strengthen the National Team. He agreed, and so we have included him in the squad.”
India senior men’s national team head coach Manolo Márquez, on Thursday, March 6, 2025, announced his 26-member squad, including Sunil Chhetri, for the March FIFA International Window.
The Blue Tigers will play a friendly match against Maldives on March 19 in preparation for the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round against Bangladesh on March 25.
Chetri, India’s all-time leading goal-scorer, had announced his retirement from international football in June last year after India played out a goalless draw with Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
With 94 goals, he is the fourth-highest goalscorer in men’s football, below Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Ali Daei.
However, he has continued playing for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.He has so far scored 12 goals from 23 matches this season to become its highest Indian goal-scorer this season. He also has two assists to his name.