Masoud Shojaei

Masoud Soleimani Shojaei (Persian: مسعود سلیمانی شجاعی; born 9 June 1984) is an Iranian coach and former professional footballer.

After playing in his country for two clubs and with Al-Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, he went on to spend several seasons in Spain with Osasuna, appearing in 112 official matches.

[8][9] Shojaei – who was addressed by his first name during his spell in Spain – appeared regularly again for Osasuna in the 2010–11 campaign, but also spent one month at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup with his national team.

On 3 September 2013, Shojaei moved clubs but stayed in Spain, joining Segunda División side UD Las Palmas on a one-year contract.

[18] After the 2014 World Cup, Shojaei turned down an offer from Real Zaragoza and moved to Al-Shahania Sports Club in the Qatar Stars League alongside compatriot Mehrdad Pooladi.

[23] He enjoyed a successful first season, and subsequently extended his contract until June 2018;[24][25] on 25 December 2017, however, he severed his link by mutual consent[26] and agreed to a six-month deal at fellow league team AEK Athens three days later,[27] announcing on his Instagram he would be wearing number 24 in tribute of Hadi Norouzi who died in 2015.

[28] He made his debut on 6 January, replacing Anastasios Bakasetas in the second half of the match against Panetolikos and later providing the assist for Hélder Lopes goal, in a 4–1 away win.

[42] On 27 February in the 2022 Hazfi Cup Final, he played the first half of a goalless draw with Aluminium Arak that his team won on penalties.

[43] Whilst at Saipa, Shojaei earned a place in Iranian national under-23 team, catching the eye of full side coach Branko Ivanković.

[44] Shojaei began appearing more regularly in the 2010 World Cup qualification stages, scoring in a 1–1 draw against South Korea in the final game.

[47] He appeared as a substitute in the team's opening draw with Nigeria,[48] and was selected in the starting line-up for the following group matches against Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

[70] Shojaei discussed corruption in Iranian football in an interview with Radio Farda,[71] and also spoke out against child sexual abuses in December 2016.

[71] A vocal advocate of lifting stadium ban for women in Iran, Shojaei openly expressed his regret that his mother, sister and wife were unable to see him play.

Shojaei (left) with Tractor in 2019
Shojaei playing for Iran in May 2014
Shojaei attending the press before the match vs. Morocco at the 2018 World Cup
Shojaei captaining Iran, against Morocco in the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Shojaei in 2014