Exclusive: 'Talents are being Murdered, Don't Know how Sunil accepted' - Rahim Nabi laments Sunil Chhetri's Retirement U-Turn

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The Indian football fraternity has raised an eyebrow with the return of Sunil Chhetri to the international fold.

After retiring last year, the legendary footballer has broken his retirement and is set for selection for the upcoming international matches.

Chhetri is available for the next two matches of the Indian team in this month, a friendly against Maldives and then an Asian Cup qualification match against Bangladesh, both to be held in Shillong.

Although Sunil's return to the national team has been welcomed by fans, the experts and the football minded people have showcased their concerns. A 40-year-old returning for national team around 8 months after retiring is perhaps not the ideal advertisement for Indian football.

And when it comes to the cutthroat Syed Rahim Nabi, he has huge concerns. The former India defender spoke to MyKhel in an exclusive chat and voiced his thoughts on Chhetri's impending return. Although Chhetri's footballing pedigree is undoubted, the sudden u-turn bodes wrong message, as per Rahim.

"Sunil Chhetri's ability is not a doubt, but is Indian football progressing with this return? Don't we have any strikers? This is not good news for us and the future. And I don't know how Sunil accepted this, it won't enhance his reputation. Sunil will score goals against Bangladesh and Maldives, but this is time to leave place for future generation," Nabi says.

Nabi has played at the highest level of Indian football for a very long time. He has played for Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and represented India 61 times in his illustrious career. And the former player believes the young talents are being denied of their rightful opportunities.

"The young talents are being murdered. Their confidence and ideology are being murdered with such decisions. I don't know what Sunil wants to prove in these two matches. Any other wouldn't have agreed to come out of retirement like this to play against Bangladesh or Maldives."

Nabi also opines on Manolo Marquez and believes the current gaffer of the Indian team must be sacked, and Indian coaches must be given opportunities. Marquez has been working both as India national team's coach and FC Goa coach simultaneously, and Nabi feels Indian coaches such as Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Mahesh Gawli know the ecosystem better and are more equipped to coach Indian players.

"Give the Indian coaches a chance who have Pro License. Mehraj, Mahesh Gawli all hold licenses and are not being given any opportunity. What has Manolo done as a coach? Why should we keep him? I believe any Indian coach will understand a lot better than him. Give them a chance; at least they will learn."