Suni Chhetri to come back to international football, reverses retirement decision

MUMBAI: India's football legend Sunil Chhetri has reversed his decision to retire from international football. The 40-year-old Chhetri will don the boots for India in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. He is set to make his return in the match against Bangladesh on March 25. The Indian football team announced the superstar's comeback through its social media accounts.

Although Chhetri had retired from international football, he continues to play for Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League this season. He had announced his international retirement in June last year. He last appeared for India in the World Cup qualifier against Kuwait, which ended in a draw. This season, he has scored 12 goals for Bengaluru FC.

Before the match against Bangladesh, India will play a friendly against the Maldives on March 19. It remains unclear whether Chhetri will be part of the squad for that match. Over his 19-year international football career, the legendary player has scored 94 goals in 150 matches. He is India's all-time top goal scorer. In the Indian Super League, he had previously played for Mumbai City FC as well.