Rewritten Title: National Team Selection Sparks Debate as Key Player Remains Sidelined
Article:
A Conspicuous Absence
The latest roster for the Iranian national football team has been announced, revealing a notable list of absentees. Among the most prominent names missing is that of Ali Gholizadeh, a player whose exclusion continues to be a point of discussion for fans and analysts alike.
Gholizadeh’s last call-up was in March 2024 under then-coach Amir Ghalenoei, where he featured as a substitute in two crucial World Cup qualifiers against the UAE and Uzbekistan. Since those matches, however, the winger has not been selected to represent Team Melli, a situation that persists with this newest squad announcement.
Club Form Hampered by Injury
The player’s absence from the national team is directly linked to his physical condition. During the previous season, Gholizadeh was a pivotal figure for his Polish club, Lech Poznań, appearing in 33 out of 34 league matches and contributing significantly to their championship victory with eight goals and five assists.
His momentum was unfortunately halted by an injury sustained at the season’s end. This forced him to miss the national team’s training camp in May and subsequently ruled him out of the last two FIFA international match windows. The unfortunate timing of his physical setback has continued, with the Iranian winger last playing a club match in early August. An injury in training has kept him off the pitch for both his club and country for the past three months.
A Focus on Recovery
While his absence for a fourth consecutive international window is a setback, particularly in a World Cup year, reports from Polish media indicate a positive turn. Ali Gholizadeh is said to be on the verge of a full recovery and is expected to return to the field shortly, aiming to regain his form and showcase his talents once more in the Polish Ekstraklasa league.