Javad Nekounam

Javad Nekounam, born on September 7, 1980, in Rey, Iran, is a retired Iranian footballer and current coach who was one of the most complete midfielders in Asian football. Known for his exceptional passing, vision, and goal-scoring ability from midfield, Nekounam had a distinguished career at both club and international level. He played for Persepolis, Osasuna in Spain, and several other clubs. At Osasuna, he became the first Iranian to score in La Liga and was a key player for the club. Internationally, Nekounam earned 149 caps for Iran — the second most in history — and scored 38 goals, making him one of the highest-scoring midfielders in international football. He represented Iran in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and was part of three Asian Cup campaigns. After retiring, Nekounam moved into coaching, managing several Iranian clubs including Naft Masjed Soleyman and Foolad, winning the Hazfi Cup. His transition from player to coach has been widely praised.