As you are aware, Iran Sports Press has been awarded accreditation by FIFA to attend the World Cup as official press. To celebrate this success and as a way of showing our gratitude to our visitors for making ISP what it has become today, we are bringing you a number of exclusive interviews as we build up to the World Cup. Below you can read the first of these interviews with Ali Manouchehri. We would like to thank all those who helped us arrange this interview including Babak Behrad, Soroush Amoei, Sina, and Beatriz who conducted the interview.
IranSportspress.com: Greetings Ali. There has been increasing interest amongst Iranian football fans about players of Iranian heritage born and raised abroad. Tell us a bit about your connections with Iran.
Ali Manouchehri: I was born in Austria to an Iranian Father and a Chilean mother. My father passed away when I was only 3 years old. After my father’s death, we moved to Chile. Because of losing my dad at such a young age, I only have a limited knowledge of Iran. Most of my father’s family members live in Austria. After moving to Chile, we lost contact with them until recently. My older brother, Daniel, traveled to Austria last year to reacquaint himself with some of our father’s relatives. I am also in the process of getting to know my parental heritage.
IranSportsPress.com: Tell us about your football career.
Ali Manouchehri: I started playing club football at the age of 17. The following year, I was recruited by professional clubs in the Chilean league. Since I have been playing consistently with my club, I am now a candidate to join the Chilean National team. I was part of the national squad which held a training camp in the coastal region last year. I have had a productive season with my club, even though I expected more playing time.
IranSportsPress.com: What is your preferred position?
Ali Manouchehri: I have mainly played as a defender, particularly central defence.
IranSportsPress.com: Do you think you will play for Chilean National team soon?
Ali Manouchehri: I have heard that there may be some interest in me playing for Iran, some think I may be able to……
IranSportsPress.com: That would have been my next question…….
Ali Manouchehri: I really do not like to speculate. I can’t even think about selection or citizenship issues with Iran at the moment. For the time being, my focus is solely on Chile. Having been selected in the squad for Chile has encouraged me to focus and concentrate on improving my football further as I think I can make the step up and play at the international level. Obviously, I would have loved to be part of Iran’s national team playing in the World Cup, but that is just not realistic at this late stage and so close to the World Cup.
IranSportsPress.com: As you may be aware, there is a precedence set by Fereydoon Zandi, an Iranian born and raised in Germany, who is now a member of Team-Melli.
Ali Manouchehri: When I was selected in the squad for Chile, the issue of playing for Iran or Austria came up as a possibility. I was made aware that if I played for another country, I would not be able to play for Chile ever again.
IranSportsPress.com: What are your plans for future?
Ali Manouchehri: I am just focusing on playing well for my club team at the current time. I play for C.D. Coquimbo Unido. This is a relatively small club in Chile but we made it to the final round last year. We are in a disadvantage compared to the other Chilean professional clubs in terms of resources and financial ability. I don’t even have a contract with them!
IranSportsPress.com: Why not?
Ali Manouchehri: Their offer wasn’t good. It seems that they don’t appreciate and value my contributions as much as I think they are worth. Under these conditions, I’m still trying to do the best I can for the club. I am hoping to be able to play outside Chile some day.
IranSportsPress.com: Thinking of playing in Europe?
Ali Manouchehri: Perhaps or elsewhere, such as United State. I wouldn’t rule anything out.
IranSportsPress.com: How would you compare Chilean league/football with that of United States or Mexico?
Ali Manouchehri: Chile is going through a rebuilding process at the moment. Younger blood is being injected into the league. US and Mexico have a more established and organized league system and hence that explains the source of strength for their national team.
IranSportsPress.com: Do you know anything about the Iranian Premier League?
Ali Manouchehri: No, not really. But for Iran to have made it to the World Cup, it demonstrates that they have a good national team which I’m assuming is being fed by a decent league.
IranSportsPress.com: Is your family supportive of your football career?
Ali Manouchehri: Yes my older brother and two younger step brothers are all for it. My older brother, Daniel, used to play football before, but he doesn’t anymore.
IranSportsPress.com: Thank you Ali for your time. I know you are eager to rejoin your practice. Best of luck to you and your endeavors.
Ali Manouchehri: Thank you for the interview and best of luck to Iran in the World Cup.
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