Sunil Chhetri Withdraws Retirement – India's Star Footballer to Return in March

India’s football icon Sunil Chhetri has made a shocking decision to withdraw his retirement. The country’s highest goal scorer, who announced his retirement in June 2024, is set to make a comeback after eight months. The 39-year-old forward will be seen in action again in March 2025.

Could Play Against Bangladesh in AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

Currently, the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers are underway, and India is scheduled to face Bangladesh on March 25. Reports suggest that Sunil Chhetri might feature in this match. With 94 international goals, he ranks as the fourth-highest goal scorer in men’s football, trailing only behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Ali Daei.

The reason behind his sudden return from retirement is still unclear. However, the Indian Football Team confirmed his comeback through an official post on social media, stating:

"Sunil Chhetri, the Captain, Leader, and Legend, will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March."

Sunil Chhetri’s Records and Achievements

Throughout his career, Sunil Chhetri has set numerous records for Indian football. Despite his retirement announcement, he continued playing for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), where he has been in outstanding form.

• ISL 2024-25 Season Performance
  • 12 goals
  • 2 assists

India is placed in a qualifying group for the AFC Asian Cup, alongside Bangladesh, Hong Kong (China), and Singapore. The team will start its campaign from Shillong.

Awards and Recognitions

Sunil Chhetri has been honored with several prestigious awards for his contributions to Indian football:

• Arjuna Award (2011) – For his outstanding achievements in Indian football.
• Padma Shri (2019) – India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
• Khel Ratna Award (2021) – The highest sporting honor in India, making him the first Indian footballer to receive it.

With a career spanning nearly 19 years, Chhetri has played 150 international matches, scoring 94 goals, making him one of the greatest footballers in India's history.