TEHRANTIMES - Mansfield Town defender Ryan Tafazzoli has shown interest to play for the Iranian national football team.

The 24-year-old center defender started playing for Southampton’s youth teams when he was 12 years old.

In an interview with Persianfootball.com, Tafazzoli said that it would be an honor for him to play for Iran national football team.

“Playing under Carlos Queiroz would be a dream – he has coached some of the best players in the world. To get called up I know I need to play at a higher level, perhaps league 1/championship being the minimum so hopefully when I make it there I’ve got a chance. I can also score a lot of goals as a defender as well. Playing for Iran would be amazing,” Tafazzoli said.

“My dad is often in Iran because a lot of my family lives in Iran. Normally I meet my family in Dubai. I haven’t had a chance to go to Iran just because of poor timing of my schedule.

“I would definitely like to go there in the future and see where my family lives and see what the culture is like over there. I do not speak Farsi unfortunately but I am around it a lot when I’m in London with my father. He watches Iranian TV and Iranian football so I try to familiarize myself a bit with the culture and language through him and my family,” he added.