Talismanic footballer and former India captain Sunil Chhetri came out of international retirement on Thursday. Chhetri will be seen back in Indian colours in the March FIFA window, during which the Blue Tigers are scheduled to play two matches.
India will lock horns with Maldives on March 19 in an international friendly as part of preparations for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round campaign. The second match will be against Bangladesh on March 25, which is India's first game of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round.
Chhetri had had dropped the inevitable news in May last year, leaving his fans both emotional and shocked.
"The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March," AIFF (All India Football Federation) shared a post on social media confirming the development.
Chhetri is the fourth-highest goal-scorer in men’s international goal tally and has 94 goals under his name. He is below Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Ali Daei.
It shouldn't be difficult for Chhetri to make a return, considering he has been engaged in a busy Indian Super League (ISL) season with Bengaluru FC. He has scored 12 goals to become the highest Indian goal-scorer in this season.
Chhetri made 23 appearances for the Blues, out of which he started in 17 and has struck 14 times across competitions, which include two assists.
The Indian football team endured a tough 2024 where they failed to win a single match for the first time since 2024. India last won a competitive fixture on November 16, 2023, when they beat Kuwait in their lair in a World Cup qualifying match, with Manvir Singh scoring the winner.
Former India goalkeeper Subrata Paul, who was recently named the national team director by AIFF, speaking to Moneycontrol had last year said: "I really appreciate the decision Sunil (Chhetri) took because everyone has to stop somewhere. And Sunil set a good example for the juniors, he set a standard. In India we have many talented players, who can fill his boots but it needs time. Sunil Chhetri became Sunil Chhetri after playing for 15-20 years, this is not a one day, or one or two year process.
"We have many players like Manvir (Singh), (Lallianzuala) Chhangte, Sahal (Sahal Abdul Samad), we have to trust them. Give them game time, keep faith on them, like everyone had faith on Sunil. Let them play 20-30 matches, we will definitely find a new striker for Indian football," he said.
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