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Iran Player Forced To Retire After Receiving Abuse From Supporters

Iran Player Forced To Retire After Receiving Abuse From Supporters

He's just 23-years-old.

Jacque Talbot

Jacque Talbot

Iran international Sardar Azmoun has retired from playing football with his national side after receiving abuse.

At just 23-years-old, Azmoun announced that he will not be playing for Iran any longer, as abuse he has received has even impacted the health of his poorly mother.

The Rubin Kazan attacker has played 90 mins in each of Iran's group matches at the World Cup but could not help them progress to the knockout stages of the competition.

An Instagram post, he said:

" It was a great honour for me to play in my national team, and I am proud of myself till the end of my life.

Unfortunately, with all the interest I have, and contrary to the will of my heart, I decided to say goodbye to the national team of my country."

He added: "There are some things in life that will speak first to you. My mother had overcome a serious illness and I was happy, but unfortunately because of the unkindness of some people - and the insults that me and my team-mates in no way deserved - her illness has become severe.

"This has put me in a difficult position where I must pick one or the other, and as a result I pick my mother."

The treatment Azmoun has received has lead some on social media to blast the select Iranian supporters who initially attacked him.

Iran were knocked out the World Cup after earning four points across their three games. It's an impressive turnaround for a side who had both Spain and Portugal in their group.

Azmoun has been nicknamed the 'Iranian Messi' and scored an impressive 23 goals in 33 games for Iran before the World Cup.

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Topics: Football News, Football, World Cup