India Football Icon Chhetri Comes Out of Retirement at 40

AFP | Delhi
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Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has made an unexpected return to the national team at the age of 40, reversing his decision to retire last year.

Chhetri, the fourth-highest men’s international goalscorer of all time, had played his final match for India in June 2024 during a World Cup qualifier. After the match against Kuwait, he had announced that “instinct” told him it was time to retire, stepping away in front of nearly 59,000 fans in Kolkata.

However, on Thursday, India’s head coach, Manolo Marquez, confirmed Chhetri’s return to the squad for the March international window. India, who are no longer in contention for the 2026 World Cup, are now focusing on the Asian Cup in 2027.

“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,” said Marquez in a statement from the All India Football Federation. “He agreed, and so we have included him in the squad.”

India will play a friendly against Maldives on March 19, followed by an Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25.

Football in India faces tough competition from the nation’s dominant cricket culture, but Chhetri remains a national sporting icon. The striker, standing at 1.7 meters (5ft 7in), made his debut in 2005 against fierce rivals Pakistan, scoring India’s only goal.

Chhetri’s career included brief, unsuccessful stints in Portugal and the United States, but he spent most of his career playing in India. In 2009, he was offered a contract by Queens Park Rangers, a second-tier English club, but was unable to secure a work permit.