Sunil Chhetri comes out of international retirement

Sunil Chhetri has announced his return to the Indian national football team. The 40-year-old had previously announced his retirement from the national squad in June 2024, following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier match against Kuwait.

The big news comes ahead of the upcoming games for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier games against Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The Blues striker has demonstrated exceptional performance in the league this season, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists in 23 appearances.

Sunil Chhetri’s return will be a huge boost

The all-time leading scorer for the Indian national team will be a man determined to show his class again during the upcoming qualifiers. Although his return comes as a shock to the Indian Pilgrims, it represents a substantial enhancement to India's attack.

Manolo Marquez's men have faced challenges in finding a suitable replacement for the No. 9 position since his appointment as the national team coach in June 2024. Although players such as Farukh Choudhary and Irfan Yadwad have been utilized in this role, neither has demonstrated sufficient capability to secure the position consistently.

Will Sunil Chhetri spark up India’s attack?

The 40-year-old continues to show his class in Bengaluru colors this season and has shown glimpses of what he can do when given the service. Chhetri has been finding the back of the net in spurts this season as a substitute, and it will be intriguing to observe how Marquez utilizes the experienced striker.

The Spaniard now faces a selection headache as he will be looking to employ another attacker beside Chhetri to get the best out of him.  Although a shift in tactics is unlikely, Chhetri's return represents an enhancement in both morale and the potential for scoring and assisting in goals.

Can India finally break their winless streak?

The Indian national football team has not secured a victory for over a year and several months. However, with the return of Chhetri, the prospects of India achieving their first win under Marquez have increased.

While the team was underperforming with Chhetri in 2024, his return, in his current form, would certainly be a welcome addition to the national team setup. However, the upcoming matches will determine if the veteran striker's comeback is beneficial or if it hinders the opportunities for emerging talents such as Liston Colaco or Irfan Yadwad to show their best.

Cover Credits - AFC Official