FIFA World Cup
Sardar Azmoun Quits Iran National Team
Sardar Azmoun, also famously dubbed as the ‘Iranian Messi’ has quit Iran’s national football team amid insults aimed at him and his teammates. He has called time on his international career at the tender age of 23. He says he feels the abuse he and his teammates have gotten and that it has affected him as well as his mother deeply. Iran were knocked out of the World Cup finishing 3rd in their group. They ended up with 4 points, just one behind Spain and Portugal. Despite being knocked out, Iran had an impressive campaign, losing just the one game to Spain.
Carlos Queiroz and his side earned tremendous respect and admiration from football fans around the world. Every game they played was a display of tremendous commitment, energy and intent.
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Despite their fighting spirit, the reactions of some fans have been rather over the top and unnecessarily abusive. The forward feels deeply upset and thinks that it has affected his mother as well.
He announced his decision via a heartfelt post on Instagram. This is what the youngster wrote:
“It was a great honour for me to play in my national team, and I will be proud of myself till the end of my life”
“Unfortunately, with all the interest I have, and contrary to my heart’s desire, I decided to say goodbye to the national team of my country.”
“It’s definitely the most painful decision for a young 23-year-old who has come here with a lot of hardship and misery.”
“This has put me in a difficult position where I must pick one or the other – and as a result I pick my mother.”
The young sensation made his international debut in 2014. Since then he has scored 23 goals in 36 games for his country. Besides this, striker Reza Ghoochannejhad has also announced that he will retire once he returns from Russia.
This is just a small example of how football can also be very cruel. Even great players face severe hardships. Dreams are shattered and hopes are crushed. All our hearts go out to these warriors on the pitch. For this is not the end and football holds many great things for them in the future. The most beautiful game in the world also has its dark moments.
