New Delhi: Legendary Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri has reversed his retirement decision and announced his return to the national team. He will be representing India in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. Earlier, Chhetri had announced his retirement from international football after the match against Kuwait in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. However, it has now been officially confirmed through the Indian football team’s social media account that he will be playing in the next match scheduled for March.
When is Sunil Chhetri’s Next Match?
India’s next match is on March 25 against Bangladesh, which is part of the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. India is placed in Group C alongside Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Chhetri is set to make his comeback in this match and could play a crucial role in helping the team advance to the next round.
Sunil Chhetri’s Contribution to Indian Football
Chhetri is considered India’s most successful striker. He has scored 94 goals at the international level, making him the fourth-highest goal scorer in the world. The only players ahead of him are Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Ali Daei. Even after retiring from international football, Chhetri remained active in club football and delivered an outstanding performance for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL). In the current season, he has scored 12 goals, making him the top-scoring Indian player.
The Retirement Decision
When Chhetri retired from international football last year, he stated that his decision was not based on his physical capabilities. He said, “I am still fully fit, I can run, I can defend. My decision was taken mentally.” However, now he is ready to don the Blue Jersey again and make a strong comeback to lead India towards success.