Sunil Chhetri Ends Retirement to Rejoin Indian National Team at 40

The Indian football legend returns to bolster the national squad for crucial Asian Cup qualifiers following a challenging period for the team.

Sunil Chhetri, India's all-time leading scorer, has come out of international retirement less than a year after announcing it.
Head coach Manolo Marquez requested Chhetri's return to strengthen the team for the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, citing his exceptional form in the Indian Super League.
India has struggled offensively since Chhetri's retirement, scoring only three goals across five matches without securing a single victory.
The 40-year-old striker will play in two upcoming matches: a friendly against Maldives on March 19 and a must-win qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25.
While Chhetri's return provides an immediate boost, critics like Bhaichung Bhutia warn it highlights India's failure to develop younger replacements.