Javad Nekounam
Iranian footballer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Javad Nekounam (Persian: جواد نکونام; born 7 September 1980) is an Iranian football manager and former player who currently coaches Persian Gulf Pro League club Esteghlal. He holds the record for the most appearances for the Iranian national football team.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Javad Nekounam[1] | ||
Date of birth | (1980-09-07) 7 September 1980 (age 43) | ||
Place of birth | Rey, Iran | ||
Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
Position(s) | Central midfielder | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Esteghlal (manager) | ||
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 | 151 | (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) |
Total | 453 | (95) | |
International career | |||
1998–2000 | Iran U20 | ||
1999–2002 | Iran U23 | 10 | (2) |
2000–2015 | Iran[lower-alpha 1] | 149 | (38) |
Managerial career | |||
2016 | Iran (assistant) | ||
2017–2018 | Khooneh be Khooneh | ||
2018–2019 | Nassaji | ||
2019–2021 | Foolad | ||
2021–2023 | Foolad | ||
2023– | Esteghlal | ||
Medal record | |||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals |
Nicknamed Neku by numerous Iranian football fans,[3] he played as a midfielder, and is also regarded as one of greatest players of the history of Esteghlal Tehran.[4][5] Nekounam represented the Iran national team a record of 149 times,[6] playing several major tournaments including two World Cups and four Asian Cups. He is popular among Esteghlal fans. After starting his coaching career at Esteghlal, this popularity in the media increased.[7]