News / Sports

Iranian striker Ghoochannejad says goodbye to international duty

Friday, 29 June 2018 8:21 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 29 June 2018 12:29 PM ]

Iranian professional footballer Reza Ghoochannejad Nournia (file photo)

Iranian professional footballer Reza Ghoochannejad Nournia, who plays for the Dutch club Heerenveen and the Iran men’s national football team as a striker, has retired from international duty.

Even though 30-year-old Ghoochannejad, nicknamed Gucci, was called into Iran's 2018 FIFA World Cup squad by Portuguese head coach Carlos Queiroz, he did not play any minutes in Team Melli’s three group stage matches against Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

“To wear Iran jersey was a dream which came true for me but I think it’s time to bid farewell to Team Melli. I would also like to thank all my coaches and teammates for helping me grow as a player in the previous six years and wish them all the best,” the Heerenveen striker wrote on his Instagram account.

Ghoochannejad won 44 caps for the Iran men’s national football team and scored 16 goals.

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