Iran striker Sardar Azmoun has expressed no bitterness over his exclusion from the national squad for the recent World Cup in North America, saying his recall to the team on Monday brought him the same happiness as his initial selection. Azmoun, 31, who is Iran’s second-highest all-time scorer with 57 goals in 91 appearances, was omitted from the tournament roster amid conflicting reports about the reasons behind his absence.

State news agency IRNA cited injury as the cause for Azmoun’s omission, while some media outlets suggested political factors may have played a role. These reports claimed that Azmoun had drawn criticism from government supporters after sharing a photo of himself meeting Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, shortly following air strikes on Iran conducted by the United States and Israel. The incident reportedly caused unease among certain factions within Iranian football circles.

Despite missing the World Cup, where Iran was eliminated in the group stage after drawing all three matches, Azmoun remained connected to the national team. He plays his club football for UAE side Shabab Al-Ahli, and on Monday was called back to join the squad for upcoming friendly matches against Uzbekistan and Russia. These matches are part of Iran’s preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia.

The Iranian Football Federation shared an image of Azmoun smiling during a meeting with federation president Mehdi Taj, signaling a positive relationship. Azmoun took to social media to reflect on his journey with the national team, stating that although he has experienced ups and downs, including being cut and recalled multiple times since 2014, he has always considered himself a committed member of the team. He noted that being called up again was not routine for him and that the joy he felt upon his latest recall matched that of his first selection.

Azmoun’s comments underline his professionalism and focus on football despite the controversies surrounding his World Cup absence. He emphasized that he holds no resentment for those who left him out of the squad, highlighting his dedication to representing Iran at the highest level.