Haj-Safi, with 150 international matches, has immortalized his name in the history of Iranian football. By surpassing Javad Nekounam's record of 149 matches, he is recognized as the record holder for the most international matches in Iranian football. Following the announcement of the first national team roster after the 2026 World Cup, rumors arose about his continued presence in the national team and the reasons for his invitation to this team.
Rumors and Haj-Safi's Reaction
In response to these rumors, Haj-Safi said: “Mr. Javad is my pride. Breaking his record is a great honor for me. I spent several years alongside him and learned a lot from him.” Referring to the controversies that arose, he added: “Unfortunately, they create controversies and say that because Mr. Ghalenoei had a problem with someone, I was invited to the national team to break the record, but if such a problem existed, why was I not invited during the two years I was dropped from the national team? I was younger at that time. Therefore, these rumors are not true.”
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Honor and Record-Breaking
Haj-Safi, who has been active in the national team and various clubs, especially Sepahan and Tractor, is now recognized as one of the most successful players in the history of Iranian football with this new record. Throughout his sports career, he has always strived to showcase the best performance and now, with this record, he has become a role model for younger players.
This record-breaking achievement is not only significant for Haj-Safi but also represents a major accomplishment for Iranian football, reflecting the continuous advancements of this sport in the country. Now, with a new goal and increased motivation, he will seek to continue his successes in both the national team and domestic and foreign clubs.
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