PLDC- Aveiro, The following is an exclusive interview with Afshin Esmaeilzadeh and Tadeu Martins (his agent/manager).

Afshin Esmaeilzadeh was born in 1992 in Rasht. He started his career with Damash and in the summer of 2012, he signed a three year contract with Asia's most popular club: Persepolis AKA The Reds.  He is currently on loan at S.C. Beira-Mar; a Portugese second division club that was established in 1922. This midfielder is one of the youngest Iranians to play abroad, and was part of Iran's U17 , U20, and U22 national squads.

1. When did you start playing football and when did you realize you want to become a pro?

When I was young, my father wanted to sign me up for swimming classes, but when he saw I was playing well on my street with my friends, he decided to sign me up for football. I started out at Saeid Maraghechiyan's academy. After that I started to improve a lot and my father helped me and supported me till I decided that I want to become a pro.

2. What are your biggest influences?

My family, and especially my father. He was a wrestling champion himself, but never got to the place that he deserved, so he supported me so that I can get what I deserve.

3. Tell us about your experience in Portugal.

Its an excellent experience. Our training starts at 8 AM everyday and we must sleep by 10 PM every night. I have learned how to live professionally here, because everything is professional. It is here that I have learned what it means to truly be a professional!

4. Are you studying to learn Portuguese or English?

Yes, I take classes and I have gotten a lot better.

5. What is the difference between playing in Iran and Portugal?

It is very different. Here they love young players and in Iran they only want older players who are around 30. Here they give young players what they deserve, and let us play regardless of our age. Most teams in Iran don't let young players be a real part of the team. The football here is structured, organized and professional, and Iran's is not.

6. What are your plans for your future in football?

My biggest ambition is to get invited to Team Melli and play under the supervision of Mr. Carlos Queiroz, and learn from this great coach's experience. My second goal is to player for a bigger club.

7. Out of the Big Three Portuguese clubs (Porto, Sporting, Benfica), which one would you like to play for one day?

Playing for either of these three teams would be amazing and I would be happy to play for any of them, but my ultimate goal is to play in La Liga in Spain.

8. What else would you like to say to the Iranian football world?

I would like to sincerely thank you for giving me the opportunity and the time to express myself and share my experience. I want to say that I love Iran and my dream is to wear the admirable Team Melli jersey so that I can bring glory and pride to my nation. I would like to also ask Iranian coaches to give young players the opportunity to play more, and not be so results orientated. Here they value their young players and that's why their football has advanced. We have many great talents in our country that need the opportunity to grow and become great players. And last but not least, I would like to thank my father, my family, and all the coaches who have helped me reach this stage.


Tadeu Martins is Afshin Esmaeilzadeh's agent/manager, and he is very involved with football in Portugal. He is also a big fan of Iranian football and Team Melli, and has lots of knowledge about the Iranian football world.

1. How is Afshin Esmaeilzadeh doing in Portugal?

Afshin wants to earn his spot on the team. He is very determined, and I believe it will take him far. He played three games this month. We must not forget that it's his first year in Portugal, and that goals and assists will start to come little by little and not overnight.  Afshin works every day to be better.

2. What are his strengths?

He is very fast and definitely knows what to do with the ball. He is a player who understands how to work as a unit with his teammates. Another one of his qualities is that he thinks fast and is a quick decision maker. The best teams Portuguese are very demanding; in a year from now Esmaeilzadeh will have the capacity to play against the best teams in Portugal, because he is persistent. He takes every minute and every opportunity that the coach gives him.

There are three young men who all Iranians should follow: Afshin Esmaeilzadeh, Sardar Azmoun who is playing for Rubin Kazan in Russia, and Alireza Jahanbakhsh who is playing for NEC in Holland. These young men were brave enough to go to other countries to play football at a young age and this shows that they have the courage and strength to face new challenges.

3. In the past few years Iran and Portugal have become closer in terms of football. Do you think that this relationship between the two countries will become even stronger?

Portugal is small country but very strong in football. In my opinion the best player in the world is Cristiano Ronaldo and Mourinho is the best coach. This shows Portugal's importance and power in the world of football. Iran will surely benefit from its good relationship with Portugal.

Unfortunately, I think it is difficult for the federations to fully cooperate, because Carlos Queiroz was not on good terms with the Portuguese Football Federation when he left Portugal. Carlos Queiroz was the only man who gave titles to Portugal; he gave all he could to Portugal, but was till mistreated. There were allegations against him and he even solved the problems in court, and thankfully cleared his name and justice was done. I am very happy for him, and would like to thank him for his contribution to football. I think that him and Iran will be happy with their results in World Cup 2014.

4. I know that you are a big fan of Iranian football. In your opinion, what needs to improve in Iran's football so that it can reach the level of Portugal's football?

I'd love to see Iran against Portugal. I must confess that I would support Iran. Iran made it to World Cup 2014 as qualification group leaders, and Portugal has not yet qualified. The Portuguese think that Iran is super weak. So I would like to see Iran prove its true value.

If we take Cristiano Ronaldo out of the Portuguese squad and evaluate the players one by one, in my opinion Iran and Portugal would be almost equal. Andranik is able to do what Moutinho does; Reza Ghoochannejhad and Karim Ansarifard are as good as Postiga and Hugo Almeida; Dejagah is more consistent than Nani, and Khalatbari is more showy than Vieirinha. Iran has to believe in itself and believe that it can reach the quarter-finals. Hopefully Sadeghian, Hajsafi, Ansarifard and Mosalman come to Europe to gain more consistency and maturity.

I wish the best for all Iranian people, and please never stop supporting Team Melli. Please never forget Afshin Esmaeilzadeh; in due time he will be a big player in Iranian football. I hope to someday work for the Iranian Football Federation, and to see Iran as the undisputed number one team in Asia.

Interview conducted, edited and translated by: Arman Tamjidi