Sunil Chhetri, who announced his retirement last year, is back in the national team.

Sunil Chhetri, an Indian football icon, has decided to come out of retirement to help the national team in a FIFA friendly match scheduled for this month, the sport's governing body in the country announced on Thursday. Chhetri returns to the team he led for more than a decade at the age of forty. “Sunil Chhetri is back. "The captain, leader, and legend will rejoin the Indian national team for the FIFA International Window in March," the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on its official 'X' handle.

Chhetri, who made his international debut in 2005 and retired as India's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player, has been named to coach Manolo Marquez's squad of 26 players for the March FIFA international window.

The move comes less than a year after announcing his retirement after a successful career, leaving a massive void that has yet to be filled.

Chhetri's departure made headlines, with FIFA, world football's global governing body, leading the outpouring of tributes for the talisman. He had played at the top level until he was 39 years old, and he ended his career as one of the game's leading scorers with 94 international goals.

FIFA had earlier in 2022 released a documentary about the long-serving Indian captain.

The game, titled 'Captain Fantastic', was divided into three parts: kickoff, mid-game, and extra time.

Chhetri has scored the fourth most goals in men's football, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Ali Daei.

Chhetri called it quits after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6, 2018.

On March 19, the Blue Tigers will play a friendly match against the Maldives before facing Bangladesh in the first match of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round on March 25.

Marquez stated, "The qualification for the Asian Cup is critical for us. Given the importance of the tournament and the upcoming matches, I spoke with Sunil Chhetri about making a comeback to strengthen the national team. He agreed, and we have added him to the squad." Since retiring, he has continued to play for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League. He has 12 goals in 23 matches this season, making him the club's leading Indian goal scorer.

The Indian senior men's team will play two matches at Shillong's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium this month as part of the FIFA international window.

India has been placed in a qualifying group for the Asian Cup, along with Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Singapore. India had a disappointing performance in the previous edition of the tournament, failing to advance beyond the group stage after losing all of their matches.

India's 26-person squad for March 2025 FIFA International Window: Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurmeet Singh, and Vishal Kaith.

Defenders include Asish Rai, Boris Singh Thangjam, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Hmingthanmawia, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, and Subhasish Bose.

Midfielders include Ashique Kuruniyan, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Brandon Fernandes, Brison Fernandes, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lalengmawia, Liston Colaco, Mahesh Singh Naorem, and Suresh Singh Wangjam.

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Farukh Choudhary, Irfan Yadwad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, and Manvir Singh.

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