Sunil Chhetri reverses retirement to play for Indian football team again; fans lament 'state of Indian football'

Talismanic forward and ex-captain Sunil Chhetri had retired as the fourth-highest goal-scorer in international football in June last year, signing off with 94 goals in 151 appearances. His return, however, has been met with mixed reactions from Indian football fans.

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.

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.

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