Everyone has their favourites. Anyone is entitled to say Ghelichkhani was more of a complete player, Parvin was more of an "idol", Karimi was more intrinsically talented, Daei was more of an international name, Hejazi more of a cult figure etc.... Yes, I agree with all of these. Now I don't like Persepolis and also, Mahdavikia lost a bit of his aura with the "Do zan" scandal.
But these are the reasons why I think he is our greatest of all time football personality (note this is not just his successes, but his reputation):
Club level:
- He is the only Iranian player who has had truly top-class seasons in Europe - topping the assist charts in the Bundesliga 2003
- Chosen in Kicker's team of the season 2002-2003 (best offensive winger)
- HSV player of the year twice in 2003 and 2004
- HSV Team of the century 2012 (who else has this kind of accolate in Europe)?
- The best single performance by an Iranian player in Europe: HSV vs Juventus 4-4 Champions League 2001 when he scored one and assisted the rest. He was a machine in that match, never seen anything like that before or since by an Iranian in Europe. And who can forget his performance against Nuremberg - he basically made all four goals for HSV, crazy.
- The only Iranian player who was club captain for the Champions League (HSV vs Arsenal 2006)
National Level:
- He is our best world cup performer. In 1998 he was in Fifa official 32-man squad for the 98 World Cup , scoring a great goal and always positive going forward, we all remember how great he was. He is the only iranian player to make an official Fifa list. In 2006 even though he wasn't at the same level he still contributed the assists and seemed like one of the only threats going forward.
- Asian Young Footballer of the Year: 1997. Asian Footballer of the Year: 2003. Top assists in 2004.
Coaching/Since quitting
His work since quitting, which to me is the most impressive of all retired Iranian players. He has totally gone his own path:
- Starting off as AFC's first Grassroots Ambassador in Asia - helping develop youth football in many countries.
- Working at a complete grassroots level with his Kia Football Academy: He is almost single-handedly building an Iranian youth academy and has funded this entirely from his own pocket. Not for money, but for caring about the development of iranian football. They just came third in an international tournament, having lost in the Semis to the eventual winner Mainz.
- His worth with Hamburg SV youth teams where he coaches everything from defence to attack. The constant reports from fans that he is the friendliest man and cares immensely about the development of each young player. Always encouraging, never disparaging, and showing lots of passion.
Personality:
Everyone knows he is meant to be friendly but shy/timid. The "do zan" thing was certainly out of character, especially as we saw how devoted he was to his little daughter.
But despite that he has the reputation as the nicest of the Iranian players, and has a certain passion for the game which we don't see any more.
I hope he never manages in IPL and continues being the hero in the shadows, building the next generation the way he became the spearhead for a new generation himself. Except doing it the right way.
But these are the reasons why I think he is our greatest of all time football personality (note this is not just his successes, but his reputation):
Club level:
- He is the only Iranian player who has had truly top-class seasons in Europe - topping the assist charts in the Bundesliga 2003
- Chosen in Kicker's team of the season 2002-2003 (best offensive winger)
- HSV player of the year twice in 2003 and 2004
- HSV Team of the century 2012 (who else has this kind of accolate in Europe)?
- The best single performance by an Iranian player in Europe: HSV vs Juventus 4-4 Champions League 2001 when he scored one and assisted the rest. He was a machine in that match, never seen anything like that before or since by an Iranian in Europe. And who can forget his performance against Nuremberg - he basically made all four goals for HSV, crazy.
- The only Iranian player who was club captain for the Champions League (HSV vs Arsenal 2006)
National Level:
- He is our best world cup performer. In 1998 he was in Fifa official 32-man squad for the 98 World Cup , scoring a great goal and always positive going forward, we all remember how great he was. He is the only iranian player to make an official Fifa list. In 2006 even though he wasn't at the same level he still contributed the assists and seemed like one of the only threats going forward.
- Asian Young Footballer of the Year: 1997. Asian Footballer of the Year: 2003. Top assists in 2004.
Coaching/Since quitting
His work since quitting, which to me is the most impressive of all retired Iranian players. He has totally gone his own path:
- Starting off as AFC's first Grassroots Ambassador in Asia - helping develop youth football in many countries.
- Working at a complete grassroots level with his Kia Football Academy: He is almost single-handedly building an Iranian youth academy and has funded this entirely from his own pocket. Not for money, but for caring about the development of iranian football. They just came third in an international tournament, having lost in the Semis to the eventual winner Mainz.
- His worth with Hamburg SV youth teams where he coaches everything from defence to attack. The constant reports from fans that he is the friendliest man and cares immensely about the development of each young player. Always encouraging, never disparaging, and showing lots of passion.
Personality:
Everyone knows he is meant to be friendly but shy/timid. The "do zan" thing was certainly out of character, especially as we saw how devoted he was to his little daughter.
But despite that he has the reputation as the nicest of the Iranian players, and has a certain passion for the game which we don't see any more.
I hope he never manages in IPL and continues being the hero in the shadows, building the next generation the way he became the spearhead for a new generation himself. Except doing it the right way.
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