Title: Cannavaro’s Key Update on Esteghlal’s Masharipov Signals Imminent Return
A Narrow Defeat in the Final
In the final of the Al Ain Tournament, the Iranian national team was defeated by Uzbekistan in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw in regular time. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, Amir Ghalenoei’s squad was unable to break the deadlock. Ultimately, Fabio Cannavaro’s Uzbekistan maintained greater composure from the penalty spot to claim the championship trophy.
Cannavaro’s Promising Update
Following the match, coach Fabio Cannavaro provided a significant update on the status of Jalaluddin Masharipov, the Esteghlal star. In a press conference, Cannavaro revealed, “I spoke with Masharipov. He has started running and was almost ready for this tournament. I hope he will be with the team for the March camp.” The Italian coach further contextualized the player’s absence, stating, “At the start of the camp, we were missing nine players, and then three more got injured; these things are normal in national teams.”
These comments underscore the importance the Uzbekistan coach places on Masharipov and indicate that the player’s return to competitive action is imminent—a development of great significance for his club, Esteghlal.
Masharipov’s Road to Recovery
Masharipov, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the pre-season, opted for a conservative treatment path instead of surgery. For months, he has been engaged in specialized individual training. His recent return to group training with Esteghlal has revitalized hopes for his comeback to the starting lineup.
A Boost for Esteghlal’s Campaign
Esteghlal is now hopeful that the creative midfielder can be deployed in the second half of the season. The team’s attacking phase in major matches has demonstrated a clear need for a technical and creative playmaker of his caliber.
An Opportunistic Roster Development
Coinciding with this positive news, Esteghlal’s situation has been further altered by another significant development: the reactivation of a vacant foreign player slot. Reports indicate that the official medical registration of Zilfikic’s “Grade One” injury has allowed the club to add a free-agent player in his place. This exceptional opportunity could work decisively in Esteghlal’s favor, potentially even smoothing the path for Masharipov’s formal reintegration into the team’s official roster.