Javad Nekounam

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.

Javad Nekounam
Nekounam in 2023
Personal information
Full name Javad Nekounam[1]
Date of birth (1980-09-07) 7 September 1980
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] 151 (38)
Managerial career
2016 Iran (assistant)
2017–2018 Khooneh be Khooneh
2018–2019 Nassaji
2019–2021 Foolad
2021–2023 Foolad
2023– Esteghlal
Medal record
Representing  Iran
AFC Asian Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2004 China Team Competition
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 2002 Busan Team Competition
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He spent most of his professional career with Pas and Spain's Osasuna, appearing in 197 official games and scoring 31 goals over his two spells with the latter club and also being team captain. He also competed in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar, in 18 seasons as a senior.

Nicknamed Neku,[3] and also regarded as one of Asia's greatest footballers by ESPN FC,[4][5] Nekounam represented the Iran national team a record of 148 times,[6] playing several major tournaments including two World Cups and four Asian Cups.

Club career

Early years

Nekounam was born in Ray, Iran. Having played for Pas Tehran F.C. for several years, appearing in the AFC Champions League with the team, he signed a five-month contract with Al-Wahda F.C. in the United Arab Emirates for US$1 million, in 2005.[7]

In January 2006, Nekounam joined Al Sharjah SC, although some European clubs such as 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Tottenham Hotspur had previously shown interest in him.[8]

Osasuna
Nekounam with Osasuna in front of Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on 2 May 2010.

After his performance at the 2006 World Cup Nekounam was linked to the likes of Hertha BSC of the Bundesliga and Ligue 1's Olympique Lyonnais, but he eventually joined CA Osasuna on a two-year contract,[9] with an option to a third year and a €5 million minimum release-fee clause – he thus became the first Iranian player to be signed by a Spanish club.[10] On 22 February 2007, he scored in the 120th minute of the match against FC Girondins de Bordeaux in the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup to help to a 1–0 home win and aggregate score,[11] and after a particularly successful first season began to attract interest from other European sides, notably Scotland's Rangers who had a £1 million pound offer rejected.[12]

On 14 August 2007, Nekounam suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in his right knee[13][14] and, after undergoing a successful surgery in Augsburg, Germany, was sidelined for eight months. His number 24 was given to new signing Jaroslav Plašil, as he recovered from his injury.

Nekounam agreed to a three-year extension on 24 November 2007 as his contract that was set to end on 30 June 2008, with a €5 million buyout clause for the first two seasons and €2.5 million for the last.[15] In February of the following year he made his first training appearance since the injury – incidentally, a week later, Xavier Margairaz suffered a similar injury, missing an estimate period that could amount to one year – and on 27 April he made his return against Valencia CF, coming on as a substitute for Francisco Puñal in the 70th minute of a 3–0 away loss.[16]

On 31 August 2008, Nekounam scored Osasuna's first goal of the season, from the penalty spot in a 1–1 home draw against Villarreal CF.[17] In November/December he also netted, but the Navarrese failed to win at Málaga CF (4–2 loss)[18] and with Real Valladolid (3–3),[19] also opening the score in the 3–1 away defeat to Real Madrid on 18 January 2009.[20]

On 22 March 2009, Nekounam scored a last-minute goal for a 1–0 home victory over RCD Espanyol,[21] and finished the season as the team's second scorer behind Walter Pandiani, scoring eight times in the league (a career-best in Spain).[22] In summer 2009 he received offers from both Espanyol and Villarreal, with the latter in particular being ready to pay the release clause in his contract; however, the player repeatedly insisted to be "happy at the club", waiting until he "hears some better deals".[23]

Nekounam was again a regular starter for Osasuna in the 2010–11 campaign, but also spent one month at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup with his national team. On 20 February 2011, in the second game upon his return from Qatar, he scored twice in a 4–0 home defeat of Espanyol,[24] and eventually finished with six goals from 26 appearances in another escape from relegation.[25]

On 21 May 2011, Nekounam renewed his contract with Osasuna for another two seasons, with the option of an annual renewal of his link.[26] In July of the following year, amidst interest from Iranian club Esteghlal F.C. and unnamed Turkish and Qatari clubs, it was reported that he would only remain with at the El Sadar Stadium if he accepted a salary reduction – he was the highest-paid player.[27]

Esteghlal
Nekounam with Pas in 2005

On 21 July 2012, aged almost 32, Nekounam returned to his country and signed a two-year deal with Esteghlal for a record fee of US$1,500,000, which made him the most expensive player in the Iran Pro League history.[28][29] He scored his first goal for his new club in a 3–2 loss to Foolad F.C. on 28 November, through a penalty.[30]

On 5 May 2013, against the same opponent, he also found the net, helping his team secure their 28th league title[31] and winning his second national championship.

Al-Kuwait

On 14 January 2014, Nekounam agreed to a four-month contract at Kuwait SC.[32] He scored his first goal for the club on 2 February, netting the only in an AFC Champions League qualifier against Al Shorta SC.[33]

Nekounam scored three goals in the 2014 edition of the AFC Cup,[34] and also won the season's Kuwait Emir Cup.[35]

Return to Osasuna

On 4 August 2014, Nekounam returned to Osasuna by signing a two-year deal.[36] He scored in his first game upon his return, a 3–1 Segunda División loss against Deportivo Alavés on 6 September.[37] On 2 November he added another, helping to a 3–2 home victory over Real Betis.[38]

Saipa

Nekounam returned to Iran and its Persian Gulf Pro League on 6 July 2015, joining Saipa F.C. for one year.[39] He scored his first competitive goal for his new team on 6 August, the second in a 2–0 win at Rah Ahan Yazdan FC.

Al-Arabi

On 21 January 2016, Nekounam moved to Qatari club Al-Arabi SC on a four-month contract with an option to extend for a further year.[40] In his first match, at home against Qatar SC, he assisted countryman Ashkan Dejagah in an eventual 1–1 draw.

Nekounam left on 30 June 2016, and the 35-year-old announced his retirement two weeks later.[41]

International career
Nekounam playing for Iran against Lionel Messi and Argentina in 2014 World Cup

Nekounam received his first call-up to Iran in 2000. He became a starter for the national side during the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and, already a key midfield element, played two of the national team's matches during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, being suspended for the final group game against Angola after his second yellow card against Portugal.[42]

Additionally, Nekounam helped Iran win the 2002 Asian Games and the 2004 West Asian Football Federation Championship, and also represented the country in the 2004, 2007 and 2011 AFC Asian Cups.[2] He was Team Melli's leading goalscorer in its successful 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign and, on 1 June 2014, he was selected by Carlos Queiroz for the finals in Brazil,[43] where he captained the nation in an eventual group-stage exit.

Nekounam also made the 2015 Asian Cup squad, on December 2014.[44] In March 2015, he hinted that a friendly against Sweden on the 31st – five days earlier, against Chile, he had become his country's most capped player after surpassing Ali Daei[45]– might be his last international, but later went back on that statement[46] only to confirm it the following day and subsequently send an emotional open letter to fans;[47] he scored 39 goals for his country,[48] and shortly after retiring was named Queiroz's assistant.[49]

Managerial career
Nekounam (left) with Andrea Stramaccioni before a match between Esteghlal and Foolad

Midway through the 2017–18 season, Nekounam became the manager of F.C. Nassaji Mazandaran.[50] His team won 23 points from his nine games in charge, and were promoted to the Persian Gulf Pro League after a 24-year absence.[51]

Career statistics

Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[52][53][54]
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Pas 1998–99 Azadegan League 222–222
1999–00 245–245
2000–01 215–215
2001–02 Iran Pro League 254–254
2002–03 257–257
2003–04 2510–2510
2004–05 259843313
2005–06 123–123
Total 179458418749
Al Wahda 2005–06 UAE Football League 11300–113
Sharjah FC 2005–06 UAE Football League 11533–148
Osasuna 2006–07 La Liga 24230121393
2007–08 2000–20
2008–09 35820–378
2009–10 31320–333
2010–11 26620–286
2011–12 31551–366
Total 1492414112117526
Esteghlal 2012–13 Persian Gulf Cup 2754183399
2013–14 1731030213
Total 448511136012
Kuwait SC 2013–14 Kuwaiti Premier League 1112163195
Osasuna 2014–15 Segunda División 22510–235
Saipa 2015–16 Persian Gulf Pro League 15330–183
Al-Arabi 2015–16 Qatar Stars League 11110–121
Career total 453952963711519112

International
Nekounam before a friendly with Montenegro in 2014
Appearances and goals by national team and year[2][55]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Iran 200060
2001110
200290
2003100
2004187
2005114
2006112
200784
200884
200982
201061
2011105
201291
201386
201490
201572
Total14938
Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nekounam goal.
List of international goals scored by Javad Nekounam[2]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
*1 February 2003Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong, China Denmark1–01–02003 Carlsberg Cup
117 June 2004Azadi, Tehran, Iran Lebanon3–04–02004 WAFF Championship
223 June 2004Azadi, Tehran, Iran Iraq1–02–12004 WAFF Championship
325 June 2004Azadi, Tehran, Iran Syria4–14–12004 WAFF Championship
420 July 2004Olympic Sports Center, Chongqing, China Thailand2–03–02004 AFC Asian Cup
56 August 2004Workers Stadium, Beijing, China Bahrain1–04–22004 AFC Asian Cup
617 November 2004Azadi, Tehran, Iran Laos5–07–02006 World Cup qualification
77–0
830 March 2005Kim Il-sung, Pyongyang, North Korea North Korea2–02–02006 World Cup qualification
929 May 2005Azadi, Tehran, Iran Azerbaijan2–02–1Friendly
1024 August 2005Azadi, Tehran, Iran Libya2–04–0Friendly
114–0
1216 August 2006Azadi, Tehran, Iran Syria1–01–12007 Asian Cup qualification
136 September 2006Abbasiyyin, Damascus, Syria Syria2–02–02007 Asian Cup qualification
142 July 2007Azadi, Tehran, Iran Jamaica1–08–1Friendly
153–0
1615 July 2007National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Malaysia China2–22–22007 AFC Asian Cup
1718 July 2007National Stadium, Bukit Jalal, Malaysia Malaysia1–02–02007 AFC Asian Cup
1825 May 2008Azadi, Tehran, Iran Zambia1–03–2Friendly
1922 June 2008Azadi, Tehran, Iran Kuwait1–02–02010 World Cup qualification
206 September 2008King Fahd International, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia1–11–12010 World Cup qualification
2115 October 2008Azadi, Tehran, Iran North Korea2–02–12010 World Cup qualification
2211 February 2009Azadi, Tehran, Iran South Korea1–01–12010 World Cup qualification
2314 November 2009Azadi, Tehran, Iran Jordan1–01–02011 Asian Cup qualification
243 March 2010Azadi, Tehran, Iran Thailand1–01–02011 Asian Cup qualification
252 January 2011Jassim Bin Hamad, Doha, Qatar Angola1–01–0Friendly
262 September 2011Azadi, Tehran, Iran Indonesia1–03–02014 World Cup qualification
272–0
285 October 2011Azadi, Tehran, Iran Palestine3–07–0Friendly
2915 November 2011Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia4–14–12014 World Cup qualification
3016 October 2012Azadi, Tehran, Iran South Korea1–01–02014 World Cup qualification
316 February 2013Azadi, Tehran, Iran Lebanon2–05–02015 Asian Cup qualification
323–0
335–0
3411 June 2013Azadi, Tehran, Iran Lebanon2–04–02014 World Cup qualification
354–0
3619 November 2013Camille Chamoun, Beirut, Lebanon Lebanon3–04–12015 Asian Cup qualification
3726 March 2015NV Arena, Sankt Pölten, Austria Chile1–02–0Friendly
3831 March 2015Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden Sweden1–21–3Friendly

Managerial statistics
As of 20 October 2023
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Khooneh be Khooneh 1 August 2017 10 January 2018 22 12 8 2 054.55
Nassaji Mazandaran 1 March 2018 1 January 2019 29 12 11 6 041.38
Foolad 1 June 2019 23 August 2021 73 29 28 16 039.73
Foolad 7 November 2021 22 February 2023 57 24 22 11 042.11
Esteghlal 21 June 2023 Present 6 5 0 1 083.33
Total 187 82 69 36 043.85

Honours
Nekounam celebrating Esteghlal's 2012–13 league title

Player

Pas

Esteghlal

Al-Kuwait

Osasuna

Semi Final of 2006–07 UEFA Cup[56]

Iran

Individual

Manager

Nassaji Mazandaran

Foolad

Notes
  1. He has two additional caps awarded by the Iranian FA. Those matches are not considered full internationals by FIFA, which only counts 149.[2]

See also

References
  1. "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Iran" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019.
  2. Javad Nekounam – Century of International Appearances; at RSSSF
  3. "World Cup 2014: Player profile – who is Javad Nekounam, the Iran midfielder?". The Independent. 16 March 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  4. "Iran will miss Javad Nekounam -- the talisman that allowed them to dream". ESPN FC. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  5. "نکونام:از حضورم در جمع ۱۰ بازیکن تاریخ آسیا خوشحالم" [Nekounam: Happy at my inclusion in the top 10 Asian players] (in Persian). 90TV. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  6. "آخرین بروزرسانی جدول بیشترین بازی های ملی در فیفا" [Latest update of the table of the most national capped players in FIFA]. varzesh3 (in Persian). Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  7. Golriz, Babak (24 December 2005). "Nekounam states Euro ambition". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  8. "Buh, Bye". The Guardian. 10 July 2005. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  9. "Osasuna sign Javad Nekounam". Persian Football. 5 July 2006. Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 7 July 2006.
  10. Javad Nekounam – Osasuna's new star; Iran Sports Press, 2006
  11. "Osasuna 1–0 Bordeaux". UEFA. 22 February 2007. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  12. "Gers miss out on Iranian ace". Sky Sports. 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  13. Nekounam sidelined at Osasuna; UEFA, 16 August 2007
  14. "Nekounam sufre una rotura de ligamento cruzado anterior" [Nekounam suffers anterior cruciate ligament rupture] (in Spanish). CA Osasuna. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  15. Javad Nekounam renueva su contrato hasta 2011 (Javad Nekounam renews his contract until 2011) Archived 18 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine; CA Osasuna, 24 November 2007 (in Spanish)
  16. Siguero, Santiago (27 April 2008). "Ontanaya falla, Villa no" [Ontanaya fails, Villa does not]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  17. "Osasuna 1–1 Villarreal". ESPN Soccernet. 31 August 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  18. "Málaga 4–2 Osasuna". ESPN Soccernet. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  19. "Osasuna 3–3 Valladolid". ESPN Soccernet. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  20. "Real Madrid 3–1 Osasuna". ESPN Soccernet. 18 January 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  21. "Osasuna 1–0 Espanyol". ESPN Soccernet. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  22. González, Damián (7 April 2009). ""Este Osasuna con Messi acabaría en la Champions"" [This Osasuna would end in Champions with Messi]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  23. Javad Nekounam not interested in leaving Osasuna; Goal, 21 June 2009
  24. "Nekounam at the double". ESPN Soccernet. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  25. "Osasuna renueva a Masoud y a Nekouman [sic]" [Osasuna renew Masoud and Nekounam] (in Spanish). UEFA. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  26. Iranian duo to stay at Osasuna Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine; Persian Football, 31 May 2011
  27. Javad Nekounam could stay at Osasuna if he accepts pay cut; Goal, 9 July 2012
  28. "Javad Nekounam officially joins Esteghlal". Kabir News. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  29. گرانقیمت ترین بازیکن تاریخ فوتبال ایران با رقم قراداد 4.5 میلیارد تومان! [Javad Nekounam: The most expensive player in the history of football in Iran with 9 million dollars contract] (in Persian). Jam News. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  30. "Esteghlal loses to Foolad [VIDEO]". Persian Football. 28 November 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  31. Esteghlal won the league; Goal, 5 May 2013 (in Persian)
  32. الإيراني نيكونام كويتاي رسمياً Archived 16 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine; Kuwait Club, 14 January 2014 (in Persian)
  33. "AFC Champions League Wrap: In-form duo win". FourFourTwo. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  34. "Top Scorers". Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  35. One more trophy for Nekounam in his club career; Persian Football, 8 May 2014
  36. "Javad Nekounam está en Pamplona" [Nekounam is in Pamplona] (in Spanish). CA Osasuna. 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 5 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  37. "Nekounam scores in Osasuna comeback [VIDEO]". Persian Football. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  38. "Nekounam goal inspires Osasuna comeback". Persian Football. 3 November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  39. "Saipa signs Javad Nekounam from Osasusna". Tehran Times. 6 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  40. "جواد نکونام به العربی قطر پیوست" [Javad Nekounam joins Qatar club Al-Arabi] (in Persian). 90TV. 21 January 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  41. رسمی؛ خداحافظی جواد نکونام از فوتبال (Official; Nekounam retired from football); IRIB Varzesh, 15 July 2016 (in Persian)
  42. "Portugal 2–0 Iran". BBC Sport. 17 June 2006. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  43. "Queiroz trims Iran squad to 24". FIFA. 1 June 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  44. "Queiroz names Team Melli squad". AFC Asian Cup. 30 December 2014. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  45. "Javad Nekounam becomes Iran's most capped player". Persian Football. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  46. "Nekounam changes mind over Iran retirement". Persian Football. 31 March 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  47. بیانیه احساسی جواد نکونام پس از خداحافظی/جلوی هیچکس سرم را خم نمی کنم جز هواداران [Nekounam: I only bow to the fans but nobody else] (in Persian). Khabar Online. 5 April 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  48. "Javad Nekounam bids farewell to international career". Persian Football. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  49. "Nekounam appointed Carlos Queiroz's assistant". Persian Football. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2015.
  50. "Javad Nekounam candidate to lead Iran U23 football team". Persian Football. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  51. "IPL: Naft Masjed Soleyman, Nassaji Mazandaran win promotion". Persian Football. 29 April 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  52. "J. Nekounam". Soccerway. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  53. "Javad Nekounam" (in Persian). IRIB Varzesh. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  54. "Javad Nekounam" (in Persian). IRIB Varzesh. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  55. Players with a Century of Caps Archived 28 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine; at RSSSF
  56. "جواد نکونام به نیمه نهایی رقابت های جام یوفا می رسد". خبرگزاری مهر | اخبار ایران و جهان | Mehr News Agency (in Persian). 17 April 2007. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  57. "اسامي تيم ملي فوتبال اميد براي شركت در مسابقات آسيايي بوسان اعلام شد". ایسنا (in Persian). 11 September 2002. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  58. "El mejor jugador iraní" [Best Iranian player] (in Spanish). CA Osasuna. 13 August 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  59. "Zheng Zhi, China's football shine at AFC award gala". China Daily. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  60. "Foolad beat Esteghlal to win Iran's Hazfi Cup". Tehran Times. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  61. "Foolad beat Persepolis to win Iran's Super Cup". Tehran Times. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
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