Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri has decided to come out of his international retirement to help the beleaguered national team in the FIFA friendly matches scheduled this month, the sport’s apex body in the country said on Thursday.”Sunil Chhetri is back.
The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March,” the All India Football Federation (AIFF) wrote on its official ‘X’ handle.
The move comes less than a year after he announced his retirement after a glorious career, leaving a huge void that is yet to be filled. Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will host the Indian senior men’s team’s two matches that they will play during the FIFA international window this month.
Chhetri had called time on his football career for the Indian national team in May 2024. The Indian football legend had aid that the match against Kuwait will be his last game in the national colours.
Sunil Chhetri had made the announcement in a video he posted on his social media handles. Sunil Chhetri said that the game against Kuwait — which is part of the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers — will be his last game. The match will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium on June 6. India are currently second in Group A with four points, behind Qatar.
Chhetri holds many records in Indian football, including being the country’s highest goal scorer and most-capped player. He’s also the top scorer in the history of the Indian Super League (ISL).
With PTI inputs