Sunil Chhetri Comes Out of Retirement for AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers
India’s legendary footballer and all-time top scorer, Sunil Chhetri, has made a remarkable decision to come out of retirement and rejoin the national team for the crucial final round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. The 40-year-old forward has been included in the 26-player squad for India’s upcoming fixtures, which include an international friendly against the Maldives on March 19 and the Group C opener of the Asian Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh on March 25 in Shillong.
A Must-Win Situation for India
India has been struggling in 2024, with no wins so far, and is placed in a challenging group alongside Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Only the top team from the group will qualify for the prestigious continental tournament in Saudi Arabia. India’s head coach, Manolo Marquez, stressed the importance of the upcoming games: “Qualification for the Asian Cup is crucial for us. I spoke with Sunil Chhetri about making a comeback to strengthen the team, and he agreed. His return will be key to our chances in the qualifiers.”
Chhetri’s Comeback: A Boost to the Team
Though Chhetri has not made an official statement regarding his return yet, Bengaluru FC, the club he represents, posted a cryptic message on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle: “Maybe all goodbyes are just an ‘I’ll see you soon’ in disguise.”
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey lauded Chhetri’s leadership and experience: “Sunil’s leadership is unmatched. He has been a part of Indian football for nearly two decades and has been a consistent performer in the ISL, scoring 12 goals. His return to the team will inspire the players and motivate them to perform at their best. A player of his caliber is exactly what we need to push for qualification.”
The world's third-highest active international goalscorer is back… 👀
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 6, 2025
🇮🇳 Sunil Chhetri will represent India again in the next international window! pic.twitter.com/WziPO1EndI
Chhetri’s Unmatched Legacy
Sunil Chhetri, who retired from international football in May 2024, ended his career as India’s most decorated footballer, with 94 goals in 151 international appearances. At the time of his retirement, he was the third-highest goal scorer among active players worldwide, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Chhetri’s decision to return at the age of 40 is a testament to the current gap in goal-scoring talent in Indian football. His comeback will undoubtedly boost the team’s prospects.
AIFF Confirms His Return
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) officially confirmed Chhetri’s return to the national team for the March fixtures, sharing the news on their X handle: “The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March.” Head coach Manolo Marquez highlighted the importance of Chhetri’s presence, saying, “His inclusion will strengthen the team and provide the leadership and experience needed for the qualifiers.”
𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐈 𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊. 🇮🇳
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 6, 2025
The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March.#IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/vzSQo0Ctez
Chhetri’s Retirement: A Reflective Farewell
When Sunil Chhetri retired in June 2024, he left behind an incredible legacy, having scored 94 goals for India. Reflecting on his 19-year international career, Chhetri said, “The last two decades have been a mix of duty, pressure, and immense joy. I never imagined I would play so many games for my country, but now that I have, it feels surreal. The final months of my career felt strange, and I knew the game against Kuwait would probably be my last.”
Chhetri’s Continued Presence in ISL
Despite his retirement from international football, Chhetri has continued to play in the Indian Super League for Bengaluru FC, where he remains in top form. His return to the national squad at 40 highlights the gap in goal-scoring talent in Indian football, making his experience and ability all the more valuable for the national team.
India’s Crucial March Fixtures
India’s first match against Bangladesh will be an international friendly, while the AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign will kick off with the same opponent on March 25. With Chhetri back in the squad, the team is hopeful that his leadership and experience will guide them to success in this critical stage.