The story of Alireza Jahanbakhsh has been shaped by the FIFA World Cup.

In career terms, the 2014 edition – when he played a key role for Iran, aged just 20 – represents the pinnacle of the winger’s achievements thus far. But the tournament had began influencing the direction of Jahanbakhsh’s life long before he travelled to Brazil.

“I have a strong memory of watching the 2006 World Cup at home with my family," he explained to FIFA.com. "As we were watching a game, my father turned to me and said, ‘This is my biggest dream – to see you one day playing wearing that shirt at a World Cup’. I was just a kid at the time; neither of us could have imagined I would do just that only eight years later. But his dream definitely became my dream, and I was really determined to do whatever I could to make it happen.”

That determination led to some tough and courageous decisions. Notable among them was Jahanbakhsh opting, aged just 19, to leave Iran and head to a little-known club in an unfamiliar country and continent. Accepting an offer from Dutch side NEC was by no means his only option, or the obvious path to take.
“I knew I had to leave; that it would be so much easier to make the national team if I moved to Europe,” he said. “When I was playing in Iran, I was doing well but I was playing for quite a small club (Damash Gilan) and it was hard to break through. I also knew that Carlos Queiroz really valued the guys who went to Europe and learned how the players there eat, how they train – all the elements that help a footballer reach his full potential.

"So when I had an offer to go to Holland, I didn’t even hesitate. I knew I had to do it and, sure enough, within a few months I was in the national team. Of course it was tough, leaving my family and coming over at 19 to such a different country and culture. But I never doubted for one second that it was necessary to fulfil my ambitions.”

An ambassador in Brazil
“The World Cup was amazing,” he reflected. “Just to be there at such a young age, after a few months playing in Europe, was incredible. But to actually play, and to experience that incredible atmosphere from the field, was like a dream for me. I also learned so, so much, testing myself in that kind of environment against some of the best players in the world. That’s experience I hope to bring to the next World Cup and hopefully help us go a step further, because we were unlucky not to qualify from our group in Brazil.”

Iran’s campaign would ultimately turn on the stunning stoppage-time winner from Lionel Messi that denied them a hard-earned point against Argentina. Carlos Queiroz’s team acquitted themselves well nonetheless, with Jahanbakhsh mindful throughout of his father’s advice: ‘Remember the 80 million Iranians watching from home’.

“I will always do that,” he said, “because I remember being one of those 80 million, watching an Iran team, hoping and praying that they would do well. When it came to the World Cup, I brought that emotion and tried to take it on the field with me in a positive way. I’m a really proud Iranian – I put a lot into fighting for that flag – and I’m emotional too. I feel a lot of responsibility and a huge motivation to make my family and country proud whenever I play for the national team. And I feel their support for me too.”

Shutouts and success
Jahanbakhsh is equally conscious of, and grateful for, the backing of his coach, Carlos Queiroz. “He’s someone I really enjoy working with,” said the young AZ star. “He brought me in when I was just 19 and put his faith in me, so I have a lot to thank him and his assistants for. He’s a coach who always wants to see young players improving and developing and, for me – as someone who always wants to learn more – it’s been perfect. I really enjoy the relationship we have and I know the people in Iran are really happy with his work.”

“We defend extremely well as a unit and that shows in those figures,” said Jahanbakhsh. “But I think we get the balance right too between attack and defence, and the players we have in forward areas also give us a lot of good options. Right now, we’re in a good position to make the World Cup.

"Coming up, though, we have two very important games – Qatar away and China at home – and winning those can really help take us where we want to go. One thing is for sure: we’re in good shape and have nothing to fear. We have a lot of quality players, good organization and a strong spirit. I hope that we’ll be able to show all of that in Russia next year.”

Iran, like their young winger, are a team on the up. If current indications are anything to go by, expect the World Cup to be as central as ever to Jahanbakhsh’s unfolding story.

(Source: FIFA.com)