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Daei: Great Honor to Be alongside Ronaldo, Messi

mahla — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 21:30:28 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) Twenty years ago today, Daei became the first man to score 100 international goals. He discusses that feat and being emulated by two legends.

“I think it started to feel achievable when I crossed 80 goals. Until then, I hadn’t really thought about it – I was focused on winning games, helping my team, and representing my country with pride. But as I got closer, the idea became more real, and I knew it could happen if I just kept pushing,” Daei said in an interview with FIFA.com.

How did it feel to become the first man in history to reach 100 international goals in front of your adoring public at the Azadi?

“It was an unforgettable moment. Playing at the Azadi is always special, but reaching 100 goals there took it to a whole new level. I felt that I achieved this not only for myself but for everyone who had been there with me, supporting me. That moment was a victory for the entire nation of Iran,” he said.

“Breaking records is part of football, and I’m happy that a player like Ronaldo was the one to do it. He’s an exceptional and hard-working player, and he’s proven those qualities throughout his career. Ronaldo is a huge role model for young players, and his record shows that anything is possible.

“Messi is a genius and a unique player. He has incredible vision and game intelligence, and watching him play is always a joy. Messi is one of the greatest in history and, like Ronaldo, he inspires millions of people around the world.

“It’s a great honor to be along with them. Football has always been a big part of my life, and being alongside players like Ronaldo and Messi makes all my hard work worth it. The achievement is more than just a number to me. It’s a testament to the love I have for the game,” Daei said.

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Messi’s Argentina win 2022 World Cup

mahla — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 21:32:34 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) –Argentina won the World Cup for the third time after beating defending champions France in a penalty shootout.

Substitute Gonzalo Montiel scored the decisive penalty after a dramatic match at Lusail Stadium north of Doha, AP reported.

Argentina won the shootout 4-2 after Kingsley Coman and Aurélien Tchouaméni missed their penalties for France.

Argentina and France scored a goal each in extra time to make it 3-3.

Kylian Mbappé scored on a penalty kick with just a few minutes remaining of extra time. That’s a hat-trick for the Frenchman.

Lionel Messi scored his second goal of the match in the second period of extra time.

Argentina had a 2-0 lead against France at half-time in the World Cup final after goals by Messi and Angel Di Maria.

Messi scored on a 23rd-minute penalty kick after a foul on Di Maria. Thirteen minutes later Di Maria finished off a flowing team move involving a deft flick from Messi.

Mbappé made it 2-2 in the second half with two goals. Just one minute after scoring on the penalty the forward scored again, on a volley.

Messi now has 12 World Cup goals — the same as Brazil great Pelé — and is the first player to score in the group stage and every round of the knockout stage in a single edition of the tournament.

Messi is making a record 26th appearance at the World Cup, breaking a tie with Germany great Lothar Matthäus.

Messi’s games have been spread over five World Cups, starting in 2006. He has 11 goals in total, tied for sixth in the all-time list.

Messi has said this is likely to be his last World Cup.

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Messi Not Willing to Renew Barcelona Contract: Report

reporter 1222 — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 06:45:21 +0000

TEHRAN (Iran News) – Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has called off negotiations over renewing his contract with the club and is ready to leave the Catalans when his current deal expires in 2021, according to a report by Spanish radio station Cadena Ser on Friday.

The report said Messi and his father Jorge had begun discussing renewing his last deal with Barcelona club, which was signed in 2017, but that he no longer wishes to stay at the Nou Camp, Reuters reported.

The report added that Messi is angry about leaked media reports that appeared to make him seem responsible for events at the club, such as the January sacking of coach Ernesto Valverde, and that he is frustrated about the squad’s lack of quality.

The Argentine’s representatives and Barcelona did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Messi, who turned 33 last month, scored his 700th career goal on Tuesday against Atletico Madrid, but the milestone strike ended in disappointment as Barca drew the game 2-2 in the latest blow to its bid to retain the Spanish title.

Barca trails Real Madrid by four points in the title race with five games remaining after Real beat Getafe 1-0 on Thursday.

Previously known for his shy personality off the pitch, Messi has become more vocal in his criticism of the club in the last year.

In January he hit out at sporting director Eric Abidal, who he said had implied players had led to Valverde being sacked.

In a February interview with newspaper Mundo Deportivo, he declared the team was not good enough to win this season’s Champions League.

Then in April, he criticized the board for implying players were not willing to accept a pay-cut to help the team’s financial difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Barcelona 2-0 Atletico: King Messi’s Return

reporter 1222 — Sun, 07 Apr 2019 05:00:49 +0000

The game began a lively affair with both sides creating chances, however Atletico’s game plan was thrown into disarray on the half hour mark with Diego Costa being sent off after an angry outburst at the referee.

Despite going down to 10 men Atletico remained in the game and were able to hold out until the 85th minute, however they were eventually undone by a piece of brilliance from Luis Suarez – who curled the ball right into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

Then just one minute after going ahead, none other than Lionel Messi calmed all the nerves and made sure of all three points with a calm finish to wrap up a hard-fought 2-0 win for Barcelona.

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