Sunil Chhetri Returns Leaves Indian Football Fans Divided

Sunil Chhetri, The Most goal scorer for India in international football, is set to be back in the arena after taking retirement from international football last year against Kuwait.

Head coach Manolo Márquez announced his 26-member squad on Thursday, and it included Chhetri, who will be 40 years, 7 months and 16 days old when India play the Maldives in a friendly on March 19.

All India Football Federation’s official social media handle quoted Márquez as saying, “The qualification for the Asian Cup is very crucial for us. Given the importance of the tournament and the matches ahead, I discussed making a comeback to strengthen the national team with Sunil Chhetri. He agreed, and so we have included him in the squad."

Sunil Chhetri retired from international football on 6th June last year after playing a goalless draw against Kuwait in the FIFA World Cup Qualifier in Kolkata.

The news was greeted with some warmth as the talismanic player enjoys legendary status for scoring 94 goals in 150 matches on the international stage. The Arjuna, Khel Ratna and Padma Shri awardee is fourth overall in the all-time international goal scorers’ list, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Iran’s Ali Daei in men’s football.

By coming out of retirement, Chhetri will get the opportunity to join the elite list of players with 100 or more international goals, joining all-time greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Chhetri’s return leaves Indian football fans divided

While many expressed joy over the 40-year-old wearing the iconic blue jersey once again, there were those who lamented the Indian football system’s inability to zero in on Chhetri’s successor in international football.

India squad for March FIFA Window