Javad Nekounam

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Javad Nekounam
File:Iran vs. Angola 2014-05-30 (162).jpg
Nekounam with Iran in 2014
Personal information
Full name Javad Nekounam
Date of birth (1980-09-07) 7 September 1980 (age 43)
Place of birth Rey, Iran
Height Script error: No such module "person height".
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Al-Arabi
Number 92
Youth career
Naft Tehran
Pas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2005 Pas 179 (45)
2005–2006 Al-Wahda 11 (3)
2006 Al-Sharjah 11 (5)
2006–2012 Osasuna 149 (24)
2012–2014 Esteghlal 44 (8)
2014 Al-Kuwait 11 (1)
2014–2015 Osasuna 22 (5)
2015–2016 Saipa 15 (3)
2016– Al-Arabi 11 (1)
International career
1998–2000 Iran U20
1999–2002 Iran U23 10 (2)
2000–2015 Iran[lower-alpha 1] 151 (39)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 April 2016

Javad Nekounam (Persian: جواد نکونام‎‎; born 7 September 1980) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays for Al-Arabi SC as a central midfielder.

He spent most of his professional career with Pas and Spain's Osasuna, appearing in 197 official games and scoring 31 goals during his two spells with the latter and also being team captain.

Nicknamed Neku,[2] and widely regarded as one of his country's greatest footballers,[3] Nekounam represented the Iranian national team 151 times,[1] playing several major tournaments including two World Cups and four Asian Cups.

Club career

Early years

Nekounam was born in Rey. Having played for Pas Tehran F.C. for several years, appearing in the AFC Champions League with the team, he signed a five-month contract with Al-Wahda F.C. in the United Arab Emirates for US$1 million, in 2005.[4]

In January 2006 Nekounam joined another club in the country, Al Sharjah SC, although some European clubs such as 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Tottenham Hotspur had previously shown interest in him.[5]

Osasuna

After his performance at the 2006 World Cup Nekounam was linked to the likes of Hertha BSC of the Bundesliga and Ligue 1's Olympique Lyonnais, but he eventually joined CA Osasuna on a two-year contract,[6] with an option to a third year and a €5 million minimum release-fee clause on his contract – he thus became the first Iranian player to be signed by a Spanish club.[7] On 22 February 2007, he scored in the 120th minute of the match against FC Girondins de Bordeaux for the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup to help to a 1–0 home win and aggregate score,[8] and after a particularly successful first season began to attract interest from other European sides, notably Scotland's Rangers who had a £1 million pound offer rejected.[9]

On 14 August Nekounam suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in his right knee[10][11] and, after undergoing a successful surgery in Augsburg, Germany, missed eight months of action. His number 24 was given to new signing Jaroslav Plašil, as he recovered from his injury.

On 24 November 2007, Osasuna showed faith in Nekounam signing a three-year contract extension on his existing contract that was set to end on 30 June of the following year, with a €5 million buy-out clause for the first two seasons and €2.5M for the last.[12] In February of the following year he made his first training appearance since the injury – incidentally, a week later, Xavier Margairaz suffered a similar injury, missing an estimate period that could amount to one year, on 27 April he made his return against Valencia CF, replacing Francisco Puñal in the 70th minute of a 0–3 away loss.[13]

On 31 August 2008 Nekounam scored Osasuna's first goal of the season, from the penalty spot in a 1–1 home draw against Villarreal CF.[14] In November/December he also netted, but the Navarrese failed to win at Málaga CF (2–4)[15] and with Real Valladolid (3–3),[16] also scoring the opener against Real Madrid, in a 1–3 away loss on 18 January 2009.[17]

On 22 March 2009 Nekounam netted a last-minute goal against RCD Espanyol for a 1–0 home win,[18] and finished the season as Osasuna's second goalscorer behind Walter Pandiani, scoring nine times in the league (a career-best in Spain). In the 2009 summer he received offers from both Espanyol and Villarreal, with the latter in particular being ready to pay the buy-out clause in Nekounam's contract; however, the player repeatedly insisted to be "happy at the club", waiting until he "hears some better deals".[19][20]

Nekounam was again a regular starter for Osasuna in the 2010–11 campaign, but also spent one month at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup with his national team. On 20 February 2011, in the second game upon his return from Qatar, he scored twice in a 4–0 home win against Espanyol,[21] and eventually finished the campaign with six goals in 26 appearances as his team again avoided relegation.

On 21 May 2011 Nekounam renewed his contract with Osasuna for another two seasons, with the option of an annual renewal of his link.[22] In July of the following year, amidst interest from Iranian powerhouse Esteghlal F.C. and unnamed Turkish and Qatari clubs, it was reported that he would only remain with the Rojillos if he accepted a salary reduction – he was the highest-paid player.[23]

Esteghlal

Nekounam playing for Esteghlal in a Champions League match against
Al-Ain

On 21 July 2012, aged almost 32, Nekounam returned to his country and signed a two-year contract with Esteghlal, for a record fee of US$1,500,000, which made him the most expensive player in the Iran Pro League history.[24][25] He scored his first goal for his new club in a 2–3 loss against Foolad FC, through a penalty.

On 5 May 2013, against the same opponent, he also found the net, helping his team secure its 28th league title[26] and winning his second national championship.

Al-Kuwait

On 14 January 2014, Nekounam agreed to a four-month deal with Kuwait SC.[27] He scored his first goal for the club on 2 February, netting the only in an AFC Champions League qualifier against Al Shorta SC.

Nekounam scored three goals in the 2014 edition of the AFC Cup,[28] and also won the season's Kuwait Emir Cup.[29]

Return to Osasuna

On 4 August 2014, Nekounam returned to Osasuna by signing a two-year contract.[30] He scored in his first game upon his return, a 1–3 Segunda División loss against Deportivo Alavés on 6 September;[31] on 2 November he added another, helping to a 3–2 home success over Real Betis.[32]

Saipa

Nekounam returned to Iran and its Persian Gulf Pro League on 6 July 2015, joining Saipa F.C. on a one-year deal.[33] He scored his first competitive goal for his new team on 6 August, netting the second in a 2–0 win at Rah Ahan Yazdan FC.

Al-Arabi

On 21 January 2016, Nekounam moved to Qatari club Al-Arabi SC on a four-month contract with an option to extend for a further year.[34] In his first match, at home against Qatar SC, he assisted countryman Ashkan Dejagah in an eventual 1–1 draw.

International career

File:Iran manager Carlos Queiroz with captain, Javad Nekounam in press conference before Nigeria match, 2014 FIFA World Cup.jpg
Nekounam with Iran manager Carlos Queiroz during a press conference at the 2014 World Cup

Nekounam received his first call-up to Iran in May 2000. He became a starter for the national side during the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and, already a key midfield element, played in two of the national team's matches during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, being suspended for the final group game against Angola after his second yellow card against Portugal.

Additionally, Nekounam helped Iran win the 2002 Asian Games and the 2004 West Asian Football Federation Championship, and also represented the country in the 2004, 2007 and 2011 AFC Asian Cups.[1] He was Team Melli's leading goalscorer in its successful 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign and, on 1 June 2014, he was called up as captain by Carlos Queiroz for the finals in Brazil,[35] where he captained the nation in an eventual group stage exit.

Nekounam was also selected for the 2015 Asian Cup squad, on 30 December 2014.[36] In March 2015, he hinted that a friendly against Sweden on the 31st – five days earlier, against Chile, he had become his country's most capped player after surpassing Ali Daei[37]– might be his last international, but later went back on that statement[38] only to confirm it the following day and subsequently send an emotional open letter to fans;[39] he scored 39 goals for his country,[40] and shortly after retiring was named Queiroz's assistant.[41]

International goals

Score and Result lists Iran's goal tally first
Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1. 1 February 2003 Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong, China  Denmark
1–0
1–0
 2003 Carlsberg Cup [1]
2. 17 June 2004 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Lebanon
3–0
4–0
 2004 WAFF Championship [2]
3. 23 June 2004 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Iraq
1–0
2–1
 2004 WAFF Championship [3]
4. 25 June 2004 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Syria
4–1
4–1
 2004 WAFF Championship [4]
5. 20 July 2004 Olympic Sports Center, Chongqing, China  Thailand
2–0
3–0
 2004 AFC Asian Cup [5]
6. 6 August 2004 Workers Stadium, Beijing, China  Bahrain
1–0
4–2
 2004 AFC Asian Cup [6]
7. 17 November 2004 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Laos
5–0
7–0
 2006 World Cup qualification [7]
8.
7–0
9. 30 March 2005 Kim Il-sung, Pyongyang, North Korea  North Korea
2–0
2–0
 2006 World Cup qualification [8]
10. 29 May 2005 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Azerbaijan
2–0
2–1
 Friendly [9]
11. 24 August 2005 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Libya
2–0
4–0
 Friendly [10]
12.
4–0
13. 16 August 2006 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Syria
1–0
1–1
 2007 Asian Cup qualification [11]
14. 6 September 2006 Abbasiyyin, Damascus, Syria  Syria
2–0
2–0
 2007 Asian Cup qualification [12]
15. 2 July 2007 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Jamaica
1–0
8–1
 Friendly [13]
16.
3–0
17. 15 July 2007 National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Malaysia  China PR
2–2
2–2
 2007 AFC Asian Cup [14]
18. 18 July 2007 National Stadium, Bukit Jalal, Malaysia  Malaysia
1–0
2–0
 2007 AFC Asian Cup [15]
19. 25 May 2008 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Zambia
1–0
3–2
 Friendly [16]
20. 22 June 2008 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Kuwait
1–0
2–0
 2010 World Cup qualification [17]
21. 6 September 2008 King Fahd International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia  Saudi Arabia
1–1
1–1
 2010 World Cup qualification [18]
22. 15 October 2008 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  North Korea
2–0
2–1
 2010 World Cup qualification [19]
23. 11 February 2009 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  South Korea
1–0
1–1
 2010 World Cup qualification [20]
24. 14 November 2009 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Jordan
1–0
1–0
 2011 Asian Cup qualification [21]
25. 3 March 2010 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Thailand
1–0
1–0
 2011 Asian Cup qualification [22]
26. 2 January 2011 Jassim Bin Hamad, Doha, Qatar  Angola
1–0
1–0
 Friendly [23]
27. 2 September 2011 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Indonesia
1–0
3–0
 2014 World Cup qualification [24]
28.
2–0
29. 5 October 2011 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Palestine
3–0
7–0
 Friendly [25]
30. 15 November 2011 Gelora Bung Karno, Tanah Abang, Indonesia  Indonesia
4–1
4–1
 2014 World Cup qualification [26]
31. 16 October 2012 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  South Korea
1–0
1–0
 2014 World Cup qualification [27]
32. 6 February 2013 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Lebanon
2–0
5–0
 2015 Asian Cup qualification [28]
33.
3–0
34.
5–0
35. 11 June 2013 Azadi, Tehran, Iran  Lebanon
2–0
4–0
 2014 World Cup qualification [29]
36.
4–0
37. 19 November 2013 Camille Chamoun, Beirut, Lebanon  Lebanon
3–0
4–1
 2015 Asian Cup qualification [30]
38. 26 March 2015 NV Arena, Sankt Pölten, Austria  Chile
1–0
2–0
 Friendly [31]
39. 31 March 2015 Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden  Sweden
1–2
1–3
 Friendly [32]

Statistics

Club

As of 28 April 2016[42][43][44]
Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Iran League Hazfi Cup Asia Total
1998–99 Pas Azadegan League 22 2 – – 22 2
1999–00 24 5 – – 24 5
2000–01 21 5 – – 21 5
2001–02 Iran Pro League 25 4 – – 25 4
2002–03 25 7 – – 25 7
2003–04 25 10 – – 25 10
2004–05 25 9 8 4 33 13
2005–06 12 3 – – 12 3
United Arab Emirates League President's Cup Asia Total
2005–06 Al-Wahda UAE Football League 11 3 0 0 – – 11 3
Al-Sharjah 11 5 3 3 – – 14 8
Spain League Copa del Rey Europe Total
2006–07 Osasuna La Liga 24 2 3 0 11 1 38 3
2007–08 2 0 0 0 – – 2 0
2008–09 35 8 2 0 – – 37 8
2009–10 31 3 2 0 – – 33 3
2010–11 26 6 2 0 – – 28 6
2011–12 31 5 5 1 – – 36 6
Iran League Hazfi Cup Asia Total
2012–13 Esteghlal Persian Gulf Cup 27 5 4 1 8 3 39 9
2013–14 17 3 1 0 3 0 21 3
Kuwait League Emir Cup Asia Total
2013–14 Al-Kuwait Kuwaiti Premier League 11 1 2 1 6 3 19 5
Spain League Copa del Rey Europe Total
2014–15 Osasuna Segunda División 22 5 1 0 – – 23 5
Iran League Hazfi Cup Asia Total
2015–16 Saipa Persian Gulf Pro League 15 3 3 0 – – 18 3
Qatar League Emir Cup Asia Total
2015–16 Al-Arabi Qatar Stars League 11 1 1 0 – – 12 1
Total Iran 238 56 8 1 19 7 265 64
United Arab Emirates 22 8 3 3 – – 25 11
Spain 171 29 15 1 11 1 197 31
Kuwait 11 1 2 1 6 3 19 5
Qatar 11 1 1 0 – – 12 1
Career total 453 95 29 6 36 11 518 112

International

File:Iran vs. Montenegro 2014-05-26 (038).jpg
Nekounam before a friendly with Montenegro in 2014

[1][45]

Iran
Year Apps Goals
2000 7 0
2001 11 0
2002 9 0
2003 11 1
2004 18 7
2005 11 4
2006 11 2
2007 8 4
2008 8 4
2009 8 2
2010 6 1
2011 10 5
2012 9 1
2013 8 6
2014 9 0
2015 7 2
Total 151 39

Honours

File:Javad Nekounam celebrating IPL title with Esteghlal.jpg
Nekounam celebrating Esteghlal's 2013 IPL title

Club

Pas
Esteghlal
Al-Kuwait

Country

Individual

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ He has two additional caps awarded by the Iranian FA. Those matches are not considered full internationals by FIFA, which only counts 149.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Javad Nekounam – Century of International Appearances; at RSSSF
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Javad Nekounam – Osasuna's new star
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Gers miss out on Iranian ace; Sky Sports
  10. ↑ Nekounam sidelined at Osasuna; UEFA.com, 16 August 2007
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Javad Nekounam renueva su contrato hasta 2011 (Javad Nekounam renews contract until 2011); Osasuna's official website, 24 November 2007 (Spanish)
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Javad Nekounam not interested in leaving Osasuna; Goal.com, 21 June 2009
  20. ↑ Villarreal looking to recruit Iran's Nekounam; Press TV, 17 June 2009
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Iranian duo to stay at Osasuna; Persian Football, 31 May 2011
  23. ↑ Javad Nekounam could stay at Osasuna if he accepts pay cut; Goal.com, 9 July 2012
  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Esteghlal won the league; Goal.com, 5 May 2013 (Persian)
  27. ↑ الإيراني نيكونام كويتاي رسمياً; Kuwait Club's official website, 14 January 2014 (Persian)
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ One more trophy for Nekounam in his club career; Persian Football, 8 May 2014
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Players with a Century of Caps; at RSSSF

External links

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Sporting positions
Preceded by Iran national football team captain
2009–2015		 Succeeded by
Andranik Teymourian
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