Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri has staged a stunning comeback to the national squad at the age of 40, defying his own decision to retire last year.

The legendary forward, ranked fourth among the highest-scoring men’s internationals in history, last donned the Indian jersey in June 2024 during a World Cup qualifier. At the time, he believed instinctively that his farewell match against Kuwait was the perfect curtain call, bidding adieu before a roaring crowd of nearly 59,000 in Kolkata.

However, in a dramatic twist, head coach Manolo Marquez confirmed on Thursday that India's most-capped player will return for the March international window.

With India out of contention for the 2026 World Cup, the focus has now shifted to the 2027 Asian Cup. Marquez revealed that he had a conversation with Chhetri about reinforcing the team for the crucial qualification campaign.

"The Asian Cup qualification is of immense importance to us. After discussing it with Sunil, he agreed to make a comeback, and we have included him in the squad," Marquez stated via the All India Football Federation.

India will warm up for their Asian Cup qualifier against Bangladesh on March 25 with a friendly match against the Maldives on March 19.

Despite India’s massive population of 1.4 billion, football has long struggled to compete with the nation’s deep-rooted cricket obsession. Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter famously dubbed India a “sleeping giant” of football.

Yet, Chhetri stands tall as a rare footballing icon in a cricket-dominated nation. The 1.7-metre (5ft 7in) striker made his international debut in 2005 against arch-rivals Pakistan, marking the occasion with a goal.

Though he had brief stints in Portugal and the United States, Chhetri has spent most of his career in India. A move to English side Queens Park Rangers in 2009 fell through due to work permit issues, but his legacy at home remains unmatched.