Mumbai Mumbai. Team India's head coach Manolo Markez has agreed to the decision to reversed Sunil Chhetri's decision to retire to return internationally. Marx said that players in better form will be included in the team and the age does not matter to the legendary Indian footballer. He also emphasized that he needs to win the match from now.

Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri overturned the world by overturning his decision to end his international career. After retiring on June 2024, Chhetri took a U-turn on his retirement decision and described himself as available for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier. The move has criticized the inability of Indian football and developing skilled footballer. But coach Manolo Markez defended and showed courage to reverse Chhetri's decision.

“He is the highest goal Indian player this season. It does not matter whether a player is 20 years old, 40 years old or my grandfather is 87 years old. If he is in a better position, he will be here. The national team is not about to develop the players. Developed players will have to come here. The main team needs to win the game. And if we need to win the game, we will have a better situation,” Marx said in a press conference before the match.

Further in the interview, the Indian football coach also revealed that Chhetri would be part of the upcoming friendly matches against Maldives. Although it is uncertain whether Chhetri will play from the beginning or not, they will definitely play the game and stay in the field for a few minutes.

Coach Marx said, “Sure, Sunil will play a few minutes. I don't know whether from a starter or from a bench. We can use six replacement, so 17 players can play, and I think Sunil will be one of them.” Team India will play a friendly match against Maldives at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on 19 March 2025.