The Sunil Chhetri-led Indian football team is gearing up for a pivotal moment in their history as they prepare for the AFC Asian Cup 2023. This marks only the fifth occasion that India will be part of this prestigious tournament.
The Indian skipper is on the verge of creating history himself by becoming the first Indian player to participate in the continental showpiece event for the third time. Chhetri previously graced the tournament in 2011 and 2019. However, the 2024 edition will mark his final appearance, where India is placed in Group B alongside Australia, Syria, and Uzbekistan.
Despite being 39 years old, Chhetri defies the constraints of age, maintaining his status as a standout performer at the highest level and retaining the title of the country’s premier football player. Yet, there is a understanding that the legendary player is approaching the twilight of his career.
Speculation has arisen about whether the AFC Asian Cup will serve as Chhetri’s farewell to international football. Chhetri has addressed this topic, revealing that if it were not for India’s involvement in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, where historic progress is within reach, the Asian Cup would have marked his final appearance.
“If we weren’t in the (2026 World Cup) qualifiers, probably this would have been my last. (But) we are in with a chance to make the third round for the first time in my career. I am not trying to put pressure on myself or the team when I say this but something really drastic has to go wrong from our side for us to not be in the third round. And right now, the team needs me,” expressed Chhetri in a conversation with Hindustan Times.
He emphasized the importance of performing well in the Asian Cup to enhance their prospects in the World Cup qualifiers, facing formidable teams like Uzbekistan and Australia. India has already made a significant stride in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers with a historic victory against Kuwait, and Chhetri remains optimistic about their chances to progress further. The upcoming matches against Afghanistan in March will play a crucial role in determining India’s fate in the qualifiers.
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