Return of Indian Legend

Return of Sunil Chhetri 

Sunil Chhetri, India's talismanic footballer, has made a remarkable return to the national team less than a year after announcing his retirement. At 40, Chhetri's comeback underscores his enduring passion for the sport, his love for the country and highlights the current challenges facing Indian football.

Chhetri's contributions to Indian football are unparallel. With 94 international goals in 151 appearances, he stands among the top global scorers, only behind legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Ali Daei. His leadership has been instrumental in India's successes, including multiple SAFF Championship victories, Nehru Cup triumphs and a historic AFC Challenge Cup win in 2008, which secured India's spot in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.

After retiring in June 2024 following a draw against Kuwait, Chhetri continued to showcase his prowess in domestic competitions with Bengaluru FC, having scored 12 goals in 24 matches of this Indian Super League season. His consistent performance and the national team's struggles to score goals prompted head coach Manolo Márquez to seek his return. Márquez emphasized the importance of Chhetri's experience, stating, "Given the importance of the tournament and the matches ahead, I discussed with Sunil Chhetri about making a comeback to strengthen the national team. He agreed, and so we have included him in the squad." 

While Chhetri's return brings hope, it also raises concerns about the development pipeline in Indian football. This showcases the lack of young talent coming from the football academies in India. Former captain Bhaichung Bhutia expressed reservations, suggesting that relying on a 40-year-old, despite his legendary status, indicates deeper issues in nurturing young talent. He remarked that while Chhetri's comeback might provide a short-term boost, it doesn't bode well for the long-term progress of Indian football. 

Depending upon a 40 year old person to score goals for the team and take team forward shows a severe problem in Indian football scene. With such a large population, two big leagues in the form of ISL and I-League and endless number of academies, we are still unable to find a player who can replace or at least cover the goal scoring form of Chhetri to progress the Indian football team. This shows a problem in Indian football system which needs to be corrected as soon as possible if India needs to progress in football scene in world.

Chhetri's immediate focus will be the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, where India aims to secure a spot in the continental tournament. His presence is expected to bolster the team's morale and performance. However, this scenario underscores the necessity for systemic reforms to cultivate and promote emerging talents, ensuring the nation's footballing future doesn't solely rely on veteran comebacks.

In conclusion, while Chhetri's return is a testament to his dedication and the void his absence created, it serves as a pivotal moment for stakeholders to introspect and strategize for sustainable growth in Indian football.