'Shame for Indian football': Fans can't believe 40-year-old Sunil Chhetri comes out of retirement for March fixtures

In a shocking move, legendary Indian footballer and former captain Sunil Chhetri has come out of international retirement and will don the national jersey once again during the March FIFA window, where the Blue Tigers are set to play two crucial matches.

India will play an international friendly against the Maldives on March 19 as part of their preparations for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Final Round. They will then face Bangladesh on March 25 in their opening match of the final round.

Sunil Chhetri's retirement

The star footballer, who announced his retirement in May last year ¡ª a moment that left fans shocked and emotional ¡ª has made an unexpected return, sparking a flurry of reactions across the football community.

Confirming the news, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) shared on social media, "The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March."

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The captain, leader, legend will return to the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March.#IndianFootball ? pic.twitter.com/vzSQo0Ctez

¡ª Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 6, 2025

Fans' reactions

Chhetri remains a towering figure in international football, ranking as the fourth-highest goal-scorer in men's international history with 94 goals ¡ª behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Ali Daei. His comeback ignited a wave of excitement, with fans trending, "The leader and captain is back."

However, this decision has left some fans stunned, reigniting debates about the state of Indian football, with many questioning why a 40-year-old player had to be brought out of retirement.

One said, "It's the year 2070, Sunil Chhetri comes out of retirement to help the Indian national team before the important match against San Marino."

Its the year 2070, Sunil Chhetri comes out of retirement to help the Indian national team before the important match against San Marino. #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/orQRwafvkq

¡ª Kim S. Kristensen ? (@kimskris) March 6, 2025

Another said, "Words can¡¯t describe how ashamed I feel about Sunil Chhetri Sir coming out of retirement. Our football system could not replace a 40-year-old."

Words can¡¯t describe how ashamed I feel about Sunil Chhetri Sir coming out of retirement.
Our football system could not replace a 40 years old.

¡ª Markaroni (@muktesharma) March 6, 2025

One said, "Sunil Chhetri is a national legend. But the fact that we cannot replace a 40-year-old striker is an indication of the state of Indian football. ISL is working on some different level."

Sunil Chhetri is a national legend. But the fact that we cannot replace a 40 year old striker is an indication of the state of Indian football.
Isl is wrking on sm diff level

¡ª Aarti (@abechalnayrr) March 7, 2025

Another wrote, "Sunil Chhetri coming out of retirement. Is Indian football hopeless and without other options, or is he just that goated?"

Sunil Chhetri coming out of his retirement
Is Indian football hopeless and have no other options
Or
He is so goated?#SunilChhetri #IndianFootball

¡ª Prithwish (@Protheis1) March 7, 2025

Sunil Chhetri's comeback

Chhetri has been in strong form during the Indian Super League (ISL) season with Bengaluru FC, netting 12 goals and becoming the highest-scoring Indian player of the season. In 23 appearances for the Blues, he started 17 matches, contributing 14 goals and two assists across all competitions.

The Indian national team, meanwhile, endured a challenging 2024, failing to secure a single victory throughout the year ¡ª a first since records began. Their last competitive win dates back to November 16, 2023, when Manvir Singh scored the decisive goal against Kuwait in a World Cup qualifying match.

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