Kolkata: Sunil Chhetri has opened up about his emotions after India fell short of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, revealing that the only thing he wishes he had done differently was pushing for the national team probables to train separately well before the campaign began.
The iconic forward, who recently communicated to head coach Khalid Jamil that he will no longer be a part of the Indian football team, said the comeback and playing again after retirement is not something he feels bad about. He returned because he wanted to, and despite scoring just once in six matches, he insists his effort and commitment were never in question.
Chhetri explained that what truly hurts is India missing out on a major continental championship again. The 41-year-old said that in the long run, no one remembers who played when qualification fails, similar to how the 2015 disappointment is recalled without recalling the starting XI.
In his first detailed interaction with the media since retiring again, Chhetri revealed he wishes he had raised his voice to ensure that around 40 national team hopefuls were selected early and trained exclusively for the qualifiers, much like India did before the 2011 Asian Cup. He emphasized that India is not yet at a level where the team can gather without preparation and dominate top-level matches. According to him, extended training would not guarantee qualification, but it could have boosted rhythm, chemistry and confidence.
Chhetri recalled that when Manolo Marquez reached out to him unexpectedly, he initially declined as he had settled into retirement. His family also preferred he stayed away after the emotional farewell in Kolkata last year. But after thinking about it for a week, he realized deep down that he still wanted to experience life in the national camp one more time, especially with crucial qualifiers ahead.
Though he enjoyed merely being a player without leadership pressure after his return, the former captain admitted India consistently failed to make the most of key moments. From missed chances to late concessions and a costly red card, the team struggled to maintain performance levels across 90 minutes despite being the highest ranked in their qualifying group.
Chhetri also praised Jamil, describing him as a hardworking coach who takes great pride in representing the country. Even though Jamil’s approach is more defensive compared to Marquez, Chhetri believes the players understand his tactical plan and respect his leadership.
With no major competitive fixtures coming up soon, Chhetri believes the next goal for Jamil should be building a strong core group of around 16 dependable players. He is optimistic about Ryan Williams, who is close to finalizing his switch to Indian nationality, saying the striker can earn the trust of teammates and fans alike.
Chhetri, who has extended his contract with Bengaluru FC till the season’s end, suggested that this is likely his final stint in domestic football too, although he did not completely rule out continuing if his club qualifies for continental competition.
Even after stepping away from international duty, he remains hopeful about India’s future and confident that with better planning and sharper execution, the national team can return to Asia’s biggest stage soon.