Sunil Chhetri returns from retirement for India

Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri has been called up to the Indian national football team for the international window in March, just under a year following his retirement.

Head coach Manolo Márquez included Chhetri in his 26-member squad, set to face the Maldives in a friendly on March 19. At that time, Chhetri will be 40 years, 7 months, and 16 days old.

Following the friendly, the Blue Tigers will kick off their campaign in the final round of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifiers. They are slated to play Bangladesh on March 25 at Shillong's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Also in India's qualification group are Hong Kong and Singapore. The team is striving to make it past the group stage, having not progressed in previous Asian Cup attempts.

Márquez emphasized the significance of qualifying for the Asian Cup, stating via the All India Football Federation’s social media channels that after discussions with Chhetri, it was agreed he would strengthen the team.

Chhetri's return has been warmly received, given his legendary status and impressive record of 94 goals in 150 international appearances. Globally, he trails only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Ali Daei in terms of international goals for men's football.

Though Chhetri stepped back from international play after a June 2024 World Cup Qualifier against Kuwait, he has continued his club career with Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League. A stalwart since his professional beginnings with Mohun Bagan in 2002, Chhetri has been instrumental in numerous Indian victories, including the Nehru Cups and SAFF Championships, and clinching the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup to qualify India for its first AFC Asian Cup in nearly three decades.