Sunil Chhetri’s decision to come out of international retirement at 40 has been hailed as a “wise decision” by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). However, while it underlines his legendary status in Indian football, it also exposes a deeper issue—the lack of quality strikers in a country with a population of over 1.4 billion.
Chhetri, India’s all-time leading goal scorer with 94 goals, had initially retired in May last year. At the time, he was the third-highest active international goal scorer, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. His return, less than a year later, raises concerns about the country’s ability to develop striking talent.
A Necessary Return?
Former Indian football legend I. M. Vijayan acknowledges the concerns but supports the decision. “From the team’s perspective, it’s a good move. If we are calling back a 40-year-old, it shows how difficult it has been to find quality strikers. Most top strikers in the Indian Super League (ISL) are foreigners,” Vijayan admitted.
AIFF officials confirm that Chhetri was persuaded to return by national team head coach Manolo Márquez, who believes his presence will be crucial in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. Márquez, who also manages ISL side FC Goa, has struggled to find a reliable striker for the national team.
Performance in ISL Justifies Call-up
Since retiring from international football, Chhetri has continued to excel in the ISL, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists for Bengaluru FC this season. His consistent performances impressed Márquez, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, and Secretary General Anilkumar P, who all support his return.
“Sunil’s leadership qualities are unmatched. His form in the ISL has been excellent, and he can still make a significant impact for India,” said Chaubey.
Anilkumar echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that Chhetri’s inclusion was based on technical data and expert recommendations. “His return will strengthen the team for the crucial upcoming matches,” he added.
Indian Football’s Persistent Struggles
Despite the excitement around Chhetri’s return, the underlying problem remains—India’s inability to nurture top-class strikers. Since Márquez took charge, the team has struggled to score, with disappointing results in recent friendlies, including a goalless draw against Maldives and a 0-3 loss to Syria.
Chhetri’s comeback might provide temporary relief, but Indian football needs long-term solutions to move beyond its “sleeping giant” tag. With crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifiers approaching, including a match against Bangladesh on March 25, Chhetri’s leadership and goal-scoring ability could once again be India’s best hope.