Azmoun makes Iran return months after World Cup snub

Iran's star striker Sardar Azmoun returned to the national team on Thursday, coming off the bench in a 3-1 friendly defeat to Uzbekistan, months after being left out of this summer's World Cup squad.

The 31-year-old, who plays for UAE club Shabab Al Ahli, came on at half-time, replacing Dennis Eckert in a remarkable comeback for one of the country's biggest football stars.

Azmoun was omitted from Iran's World Cup squad in May after intense criticism in Iranian media over a photo posted on his Instagram alongside the Emirati premier, a US ally and supporter of Washington in its war against Iran.

Coach Amir Ghalenoei this week recalled Azmoun, Iran's third-highest scorer of all time with 57 goals in 92 appearances, as preparations ramp up for next year's Asian Cup.

Iran exited the World Cup at the group stage, having drawn all three of their matches in a tournament overshadowed by the Middle East war.

Azmoun took to Instagram this week in an emotional post to say he had "missed this jersey so much".

"I came, I left, I was dropped, I came back," he wrote.

"I'm not upset with anyone, and I don't have anything to prove. I'm just happy I have the chance again... The chance to fight with all I have for the country I love."

The controversy followed similar uproar in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after Azmoun published messages on social media appearing to support anti-government protests, prompting calls from hardliners although he eventually played.

bur/rh/amj/mw

COACH