New Delhi, March 7 – In a sensational return to international football, India’s all-time top goal-scorer and former captain Sunil Chhetri has reversed his retirement decision and will feature in India’s upcoming international fixtures against Maldives and Bangladesh later this month.
Chhetri’s Retirement U-Turn: A Boost for Indian Football
The 40-year-old legend had announced his international retirement after India’s goalless draw against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers in June last year. However, his stellar performances in the Indian Super League (ISL) with Bengaluru FC, where he netted 12 goals this season, have prompted his return to the national setup.
Chhetri, currently fourth on the list of top international goal-scorers, has 94 international goals, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Ali Daei in men’s football. Despite stepping away from international duties, he continued to lead Bengaluru FC, scoring crucial goals and finishing as the top Indian scorer of the season.
In 23 appearances for Bengaluru FC, Chhetri played 17 matches as a starter, contributing to 14 goals, including two assists. His performances helped Bengaluru FC secure a playoff spot, marking a remarkable turnaround after finishing outside the top three last season.
Chhetri on His Decision to Return
After stepping away from international football, Chhetri had made it clear that his retirement was not due to physical reasons.
“My decision to retire was never about fitness. I am still running, defending, and working hard. It was more of a mental decision,” Chhetri had stated earlier.
With India gearing up for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, where they are grouped with Bangladesh, Hong Kong (China), and Singapore, his experience and leadership will be invaluable.
India’s campaign begins on March 19 with a friendly against Maldives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, followed by a crucial third-round qualifier against Bangladesh.
Coach Manolo Márquez’s Take on Chhetri’s Return
Indian national team head coach Manolo Márquez confirmed that discussions were held with Chhetri regarding his return, given the high stakes of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
“Qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup is extremely important for us. Considering the significance of the upcoming matches, I spoke with Sunil about a potential return. He agreed, and we have included him in the squad,” Márquez said on Thursday.
India endured a disappointing campaign in the last AFC Asian Cup, crashing out after losing all three group-stage matches. With Chhetri back in the squad and eyeing his third Asian Cup appearance, it remains to be seen whether Márquez will deploy him as a traditional No.9 or as an impact substitute.
Full Indian National Team Squad for Upcoming Fixtures
Goalkeepers:
- Amrinder Singh
- Gurmeet Singh
- Vishal Kaith
Defenders:
- Ashish Rai
- Boris Singh Thangjam
- Chinglensana Singh Konsham
- Hmingthanmawia
- Mehtab Singh
- Rahul Bheke
- Roshan Singh
- Sandesh Jhingan
- Subhasish Bose
Midfielders:
- Ashique Kuruniyan
- Ayush Dev Chhetri
- Brandon Fernandes
- Bryson Fernandes
- Jeakson Singh Thounaojam
- Lalengmawia
- Liston Colaco
- Mahesh Singh Naorem
- Suresh Singh Wangjam
Forwards:
- Sunil Chhetri
- Farukh Choudhary
- Irfan Yadwad
- Lallianzuala Chhangte
- Manvir Singh
With Chhetri back in the fold, Indian fo
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.