New Delhi: Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri has decided to come out of his international retirement to help the beleaguered national team in the FIFA friendly matches scheduled this month, the sport’s apex body in the country said on Thursday.
“Sunil Chhetri is back. The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March,” the All India Football Federation (AIFF) wrote on its official ‘X’ handle.
The move comes less than a year after he announced his retirement after a glorious career, leaving a huge void that is yet to be filled.
Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host the Indian senior men’s team’s two matches that they will play during the FIFA international window this month.
India has been placed in a qualifying group alongside Bangladesh, Hong Kong (China), and Singapore for the Asian Cup. In the tournament’s previous edition, India had a disappointing run, failing to progress past the group stage after losing all of their matches.
Chetri, India’s all-time leading goal-scorer, 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.
The 40-year-old, who is only behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Ali Daei in the all-time leading goalscorers list in men’s football, continued to ply his trade for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League.
Chhetri has been instrumental in India’s victories in the Nehru Cup (2007, 2009, 2012) and the SAFF Championship (2011, 2015, 2021). Most significantly, his contribution to India’s 2008 AFC Challenge Cup win secured their first AFC Asian Cup appearance in 27 years.
Chhetri’s international debut came in 2005, followed by his first goal against Pakistan. A defining moment arrived in the 2011 SAFF Championship, where he surpassed Indian legend I.M. Vijayan’s record of six goals in a single edition by scoring a phenomenal seven, propelling India to victory and becoming the national team’s highest scorer.
Across club and country, Chhetri’s goal tally stands at a remarkable 252 in 515 appearances, averaging almost a goal every two games. This consistency and talent haven’t gone unnoticed. In 2022, FIFA honoured him with a documentary titled “Captain Fantastic,” celebrating his journey and achievements.
