The World Cup-winning striker, who turned 37 on Sunday, was given birthday gifts by Iran’s Sepahan and Bunyodkor football clubs on Monday. He did not attend a pre-match press conference due to tiredness.
Bonyodkor will play Sepahan on Tuesday in Isfahan’s Fuladshahr Stadium in Group D of the Asian Champions League.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq is top of the group with six points, followed by Sepahan and Bonyodkor both four points and the UAE’s Al Shabab with three points.