The Veteran's Comeback Highlights India's Shortage of Quality Strikers
Sunil Chhetri's return from international retirement at the age of 40 has been welcomed warmly by India's football federation but simultaneously exposes the glaring scarcity of quality forwards in a country boasting over 1.4 billion people.The All India Football Federation (AIFF) termed Chhetri's inclusion "a wise decision," reinforcing their faith in the legendary striker. Yet, the necessity of recalling a retired veteran within a year of his departure underscores the deep-rooted issues plaguing Indian football.
Sunil Chhetri: India's Timeless Goal-Scoring Icon
Chhetri, renowned as India's most prolific goal scorer with an unprecedented tally of 94 international goals, announced his retirement in May last year. At that time, he ranked third globally among active footballers, trailing only the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.Despite retiring internationally, Chhetri continued showcasing exceptional form for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), netting 12 goals in 23 appearances this season. His stellar performance—including two assists—caught the attention of India's national head coach Manolo Márquez, who is concurrently leading FC Goa in the ISL.
AIFF Supports Coach Márquez's Bold Move
Recognizing Chhetri’s impeccable form and proven leadership qualities, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey fully endorsed Márquez’s decision. "Sunil's leadership qualities are unmatched," Chaubey stated. "His impeccable form in the ISL will significantly strengthen the national team."Anilkumar P, AIFF's secretary-general, echoed Chaubey’s sentiment. Citing technical data, Anilkumar described Márquez's move as strategically sound. "We have important matches ahead, and we trust that Chhetri will help elevate India's performance during the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers," he noted.
Legend IM Vijayan Emphasizes Fitness Over Age
IM Vijayan, a legendary figure in Indian football and current head of AIFF's technical committee, highlighted Chhetri’s sustained fitness rather than focusing on his age. "Age is not the key factor—fitness is," Vijayan explained. Citing the example of Cameroonian star Roger Milla, who famously returned from retirement at 38 to star in the 1990 World Cup, Vijayan underscored that fitness and form should be the criteria, not age.Nonetheless, Vijayan candidly acknowledged the broader issue facing Indian football. "We have consistently struggled to find reliable strikers," he admitted. "Most of the leading scorers in the ISL are foreign players, and we haven't yet succeeded in developing comparable local talent."
Chhetri's Return: India's Immediate Needs Versus Long-Term Concerns
Head coach Márquez has struggled to find effective replacements since Chhetri’s retirement. Recent performances illustrate India's difficulty in finding a reliable scoring option, as seen in goalless draws and defeats against teams like Syria, Maldives, Vietnam, and Malaysia.Chhetri, who originally debuted internationally in 2005, will rejoin the squad for the upcoming friendly against the Maldives on March 19, followed by the crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25. India's qualification group also includes Hong Kong and Singapore.
Given India's disappointing exit from the previous Asian Cup—losing all group matches—expectations will be significantly higher now that Chhetri is back in the national team fold. While his return brings immediate hope, it also emphasizes the urgency to develop younger talents capable of carrying Indian football into the future.