Ali Nemati #19

Profile

Nemati may not have many chances to feature at the World Cup but simply making the squad is a significant achievement for a player who came close to giving up football at 18. He nearly missed a trial for Iran’s youth teams due to arriving late and, not long after, a motorcycle accident left him with a broken arm and collarbone, sidelining him for an entire year. However, he worked his way back to the top level and earned his first cap at the age of 29 during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Off the pitch, the versatile defender has also shown a compassionate side. Some time ago, he helped secure the release of individuals imprisoned for financial debts by paying off what they owed.

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