Iran faces setback with Gholizadeh’s injury ahead of World Cup
Iran has faced a considerable setback on the field before their World Cup campaign, as winger Ali Gholizadeh sustained a season-ending knee injury while competing for his club Lech Poznan in Poland.
Gholizadeh, who was set to begin on the right flank for Iran at the World Cup, was removed from the field during the match against Motor Lublin last Saturday. Subsequent tests revealed that he had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. “The club announced that Gholizadeh will undergo surgery in the coming days, followed by several months of rehabilitation.”
Despite lingering uncertainty regarding Iran’s involvement in the World Cup due to the conflict with the United States and Israel, players based in the country have been diligently preparing for the tournament in Tehran.
The Iranian top flight football league was put on hold following the commencement of U.S. and Israeli air strikes in late February, resulting in players being restricted to drills and occasional intra-squad matches at a training camp.
Demonstrating the significance of football in the nation, squad members have consistently attended pro-government night demonstrations in Valiasr Square in the city.
Midfielder Mohammad Mehdi Mohebi spoke to reporters last Wednesday night, expressing that if he were to score at the World Cup, he would dedicate his goal to the “martyrs” of the March missile strike on a girls’ school in Minab, which resulted in the tragic loss of 156 civilians, including many children.
Following the unfortunate news regarding Gholizadeh, supporters of Team Melli will be optimistic that the reports in the Iranian media about mediation discussions involving Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun and the authorities yield positive results.
Azmoun, having netted 57 goals in 91 international appearances since his debut as a teenager in 2014, was omitted from the squad for the friendlies against Costa Rica and Nigeria in March.
Local media reports indicated that the 31-year-old was expelled for “disloyalty” following the posting of a picture on social media featuring his meeting with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.
Azmoun plays his club football for Shabab Al-Ahli in the Emirate, which has been subjected to Iranian missile and drone attacks amid the ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel.
Last week, President Gianni Infantino informed FIFA’s Congress that Iran would participate in the World Cup and compete in their three group matches as planned. The U.S. Melli are poised to begin their campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, followed by a match against Belgium at the same stadium on June 21, and concluding their Group G fixtures against Egypt in Seattle five days later.
