Sunil Chhetri: Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri has made the decision to come out of retirement and rejoin the national team for the upcoming FIFA international window set for March 2025. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed this exciting news on Thursday. Chhetri, who will once again wear the Indian jersey, is set to feature in the third round of AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, with India scheduled to face Bangladesh on March 25. The 40-year-old has been included in coach Manolo Marquez’s 26-player squad for the March FIFA international window.
The AIFF took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the news, writing, “The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March.”
This month, Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host two crucial matches for the Indian men’s senior team during the FIFA international window. India is up against a challenging qualifying group for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, competing with Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In the previous edition of the tournament, India faced disappointment as they were eliminated in the group stage, losing all their matches.
Chhetri, India’s all-time top scorer, had earlier announced his retirement from international football following a 0-0 draw against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers last year. However, the Bengaluru FC star continues to shine in the Indian Super League. Throughout his illustrious career, Chhetri has played an instrumental role in India’s successes, including wins in the Nehru Cup (2007, 2009, 2012) and the SAFF Championship (2011, 2015, 2021). His remarkable performance in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup was key in securing India’s return to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time in 27 years.
Since making his debut for the national team in 2005, Chhetri has left an indelible mark on Indian football. His outstanding goal-scoring abilities were on full display during the 2011 SAFF Championship, where he scored seven goals in a single edition, breaking I.M. Vijayan’s record and leading India to victory. With a career tally of 252 goals in 515 appearances for both club and country, Chhetri has earned recognition and admiration for his skill and consistency. In 2022, FIFA honored him with a documentary titled Captain Fantastic, celebrating his incredible journey and achievements.