 "Sunil Chhetri reverses retirement to play for Indian football team again; fans lament 'state of Indian football'")
Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri is set to reunite with the Blue Tigers less than a year after bidding them an emotional goodbye as he will be coming out of retirement during the FIFA International Window in March. Talismanic forward and former captain Chhetri had bid the Indian team a tearful goodbye at Kolkata’s iconic Salt Lake Stadium in June last year, making his final appearance in the team’s goalless draw against Kuwait .
𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐑𝐈 𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊. 🇮🇳
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 6, 2025
The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March.#IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/vzSQo0Ctez
Chhetri, who continues to represent Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), had retired as the fourth-highest international goal-scorer in the history of the sport with 94 goals in 151 matches, since his debut against Pakistan in 2005.
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.
Here are some of the reactions to Chhetri’s return:
Looks like the answer to who after chhetri question is Chhetri himself https://t.co/Ngsdk4YBLH
— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) March 6, 2025
on one side I am happy to see him back in Indian colours again, but on the other hand it's really sad & unfortunate that in the entire country we couldn't find a replacement of Sunil Chhetri
— sohom (@AwaaraHoon) March 6, 2025
Words can’t describe how ashamed I feel about Sunil Chhetri Sir coming out of retirement.
— Markaroni (@muktesharma) March 6, 2025
Our football system could not replace a 40 years old.
Yes it’s good that Chhetri is back. It’s also a direct indication how cooked we are. It’s a much needed reality check. So many questions as to why these next gen players who perform for clubs can’t replicate it with national team, what can the clubs do to help.#IndianFootball
— Aswathy Santhosh (@_Aswathy_S) March 6, 2025
40 year old Sunil Chhetri coming out of retirement to save Indian football?
— Akshata Shukla (@shukla_akshata) March 6, 2025
The state of the sport in this country. Wow.
Imagine the state of indian football that you have to call 40yrs old sunil chhetri out of retirement because you know that there is not even one player who can come close to him even at his 40s.#indanfootball #sunilchhetri
— thapa fan (@thapa15fan) March 6, 2025
India, currently coached by Manolo Marquez after parting ways with Igor Stimac shortly after Chhetri’s retirement, face Maldives as well as neighbours Bangladesh in the international window later this month.
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