Exclusive interview with Chile-based defender Ali Manouchehri

Persianfootball.com – CONCEPCIÓN, Iran boss Carlos Queiroz is well known for his efforts to strenghtening the Iranian squad with players of Iranian origin playing abroad.

With Ashkan Dejagah, Reza Ghoochannejhad, Omid Nazari, Daniel Davari and William Atashkadeh, five members of the Iranian diaspora in Europe have already been called up in the past years.

But there are more interesting players in Europe, Asia as well as North and South America.

One of the could be former Chile u-23 centerback Ali Manouchehri Lobos, son of an Iranian father and Chilean mother who currently plays his footall for Deportivo Conceptión in Chile’s Primera B, the second highest league of the country.

Below you can find an exclusive interview with Ali Manouchehri with Persianfootball.com.

Persianfootball.com: Hi Ali, thank you for taking the time for this exclusive interview with Persianfootball.com. You were born to an Iranian father and a Chilean mother. Tell us about your childhood.

Ali Manouchehri: I had a happy childhood. During that period I learned very important values such as brotherhood, charity, and solidariy with other people. I also learned during my childhood that everything is possible if you work hard with all your heart.

PFDC: When did you start playing football? What position do you play?

AM: I started playing football in a gravel field with my grandfather and family when I was very young. Later, I played in Coquimbo Unido – the lower leagues. I have always played as a defender. I’m a central defender, but I also feel comfortable playing in different positions. I have played some seasons as a right or lef fullbackand.

PFDC: You have played for the Chilean under 23 team, what was that experience like?

AM: To be considered to play in the national team of a country is always an honour. I’m a professional football player. To share the dressing room with players that are competing in the best leagues of the world is a testament to one’s capabilities as a football player.

PFDC: You also played in Spain for Levante, how come you came back to Chile?

AM: I was in Spain, it was a beautiful experience. Unfortunately, unfair situations made me decide to go back to Chile. I’ve learned from that experience and focus all my energy to succeed and play in other countries very soon.

PFDC: Do you watch the Iranian national team? Who is your favorite player?

AM: I followed the national team during the World Cup in 2006 and more so with their qualifications this past year. They have great players and an excellent coach. I know they are in a tough group and with the injury of Ashkan Dejagah they will lose a key player, but hopefully they can pull together a qualify to the world cup. The upcoming games in June are very important to their qualification campaign. My favorite players on the national team are Masoud Shojaei and Ashkan Dejagah. They are both playing in two of the top football leagues in the world.

PFDC: The Iranian coach, Carlos Queiroz, has invited many players from outside Iran to the Iranian team. If you were called up for Iran, would you accept the invitation?

AM: Of course, it would be an honor to be called up to the Iranian National Team. It is one of the goals of my agent and I and we are both working towards it. I hope to be playing in Europe, Turkey or maybe even a good team in the Iranian Premier League next season. I feel a move like this will help me get recognition for the Iranian national team and hopefully a call up.

PFDC: What message do you have to your Iranian fans?

AM: I have been getting a lot of attention from Iranian fans on various football forums and websites, and I just want to say “Thank You”. Iranian fans are some of the most passionate football loving fans in the world. I hope to play one day in a stadium filled with Iranian fans.

Thank you for your time Ali and all the best for your career.

Below you can find a video of Ali.