Paatoop.com - The following is an exclusive interview with Philippines national football star: Misagh Bahadoran.

Misagh Bahadoran is a 28-year-old Filipino-Iranian footballer, who plays for Global FC, and both the Philippines national football and futsal teams, and is a fan-favourite. This forward/winger has a Filipino mother, and an Iranian father, and was born in the city of Mabalacat.

Bahadoran started his career with Pasargad FC, which is a football club in the Philippines, that was started by Iranians. In 2010 he joined Kaya, and eventually in 2011 he joined Global FC (also known as “The People’s Club”).

Bahadoran vs Yemen (World Cup 2018 qualifiers AFC) // photos courtesy of Anton Shaker/ goal.ph (https://www.facebook.com/goal.PH)

Please tell us about when you started to play football.

I started playing football when I was 7-years-old in Iran. I just played with my friends and my older brother in the streets.

How familiar are you with Iranian football? and who is your favourite player?

I love Iranian football, specially Team Melli; I’m so proud of the Iranian national team, especially in Asia. I always tell my teammates that Iran is the best team in Asia.

I have so many favourites, such as: Ali Daei, Ali Karimi, Ashkan Dejagah, and Mehdi Mahdavikia.

It has been said that your father told you to finish your education before pursuing your professional football career. Please tell us about that.

Yes, because as you know, it’s very hard to be a pro footballer, and also university educated. My brother got really badly injured while playing football in Iran, and that’s why my parents didn’t allow me to play professional football in Iran. That’s why I started pro football after I finished my post-secondary education, at the age of 24.

You scored in both World Cup 2018 Qualification matches (vs Bahrain and Yemen). How hopeful are you for making it to the World Cup?

Yeah, I was so happy that I could help the team, and be a part of these two important wins for the World Cup 2018 qualifiers. I am very positive that if we give 100% in the training camps and games, we can qualify. Nothing is impossible.

Are you interested in playing for an Iranian club?

Yes I am. It was my dream when I was in Iran, when I used to watch the Iranian league on TV.

Where do you see yourself in the next couple seasons?

I think I see myself still in Philippines because of my businesses.

You have a degree in dentistry from Centro Escolar University (Manila); after your playing career, will you pursue coaching or dentistry?

I don’t know yet. I love football so much; I want to be coach or a team manager and maybe I will do dentistry alongside it.

Anything else you would like to say to Iranians across the world?

I just want to thank all Iranians across the world for supporting me and being so kind. Please keep supporting me, and I will do my best to make both countries (Iran and Philippines) proud.