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.