Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht

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Personal information
Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht

Full name	Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht
Date of birth	30 June 1980 (1980-06-30) (age 27)
Place of birth	Mashhad, Iran
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Persepolis
Number	10
Youth clubs
	Aboomoslem
Senior clubs¹
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1998–1999 1999–2005 2005 2005–2006 2006–	Aboomoslem Esteghlal Al-Wasl Esteghlal Persepolis	11 0(1) 56 (17)
National team²
2000–	Iran	71 (14)
¹ Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17 May 2008. ² National team caps and goals correct as of 7 June 2008. * Appearances (Goals)

Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht (Persian: علیرضا واحدی نیکبخت, born June 30, 1980 in Mashhad) is an Iranian professional football player. He is an energetic left midfielder, currently a member of Persepolis F.C. and Iran national football team.

In January 2008, Nikbakht was invited to go on a trial with Sheffield United.^[1]

1 Club career
- 1.1 Club career statistics
2 International career
3 Honurs
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Club career

Starting out in F.C. Aboomoslem and then being transferred to Esteghlal F.C., he improved in a short period of time. His excellent performance for his club eventually lead to his inclusion in the national squad.

He has experience with UAE club Al Wasl FC, and has had trials with Atlético Madrid and Fenerbahçe. He had signed on with Fenerbahçe in 2004 and had even practised with the team getting ready for the upcoming season in the Turkish league, but was kicked-out after an incidient with the coach.

Nikbakht was instrumental in helping Esteghlal grab the 2005-2006 Iranian Premier League championship with an electrifying display in the win over Bargh Shiraz. The win resulted in Esteghlal (59 points) edging Pas (58 points) for the IPL championship.

In June 2006 he signed a two-year contract with Esteghlal's fierce rival, Persepolis.He played in the final of the Hazfi Cup for Persepolis F.C. and scored for Persepolis F.C. in first match but missed a penalty in the second leg and could not win his first cup with Persepolis F.C.. In the 2006/2007 season in Persepolis, Nikbakht played alongside Mehrzad Madanchi as a forward, which made him score 8 goals in 25 appearances and have 8 assists in the league.In his second season for Persepolis F.C. he won the league and had his best season of his career with 9 goals and 9 assists.

[edit] Club career statistics

Last update: 17 May 2008

Season	Team	Country	Division	Apps	Goals	Assists
98/99	Aboomoslem	Iran	1	?	?	?
99/00	Esteghlal	Iran	1	?	?	?
00/01	Esteghlal	Iran	1	?	?	?
01/02	Esteghlal	Iran	1	?	2	?
02/03	Esteghlal	Iran	1	?	6	?
03/04	Esteghlal	Iran	1	?	3	?
04/05	Esteghlal	Iran	1	?	2	?
04/05	Al-Wasl	United Arab Emirates	1	?	1	?
05/06	Esteghlal	Iran	1	11	1	4
06/07	Persepolis	Iran	1	25	8	8
07/08	Persepolis	Iran	1	31	9	7

[edit] International career

He made his first appearance for Iran in a World Cup qualifying game against Guam in Tabriz in December 2000. He scored on his debut.

Nikbakht's performance in the national squad was instrumental in Iran's progress to the next WC qualifying round. However, his disciplinary problems has created difficulties for the national team coaches and he is often viewed as a primadonna. Nonetheless, his darting runs on the flanks and his pace continues to be a great asset for his team, and most fans won't forget his winning goal in a crucial World Cup 2006 qualifer against Jordan. He won the 2002 Asian Games and 2004 West Asian Football Federation Championship with Team Melli.

There had been rampant speculation that an in form Nikbaht would definitely make Branko Ivancovic's final 23 men list for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Branko Ivancovic had himself alluded to this by stating that "I love Nikbaht" in an interview, but that his hitherto out-of-form play was the major impediment for him reclaiming his spot in Team Melli. Many had tagged him as the saviour for Iran's left-back defensive complications as he is naturally left-footed, good physique, quick with his feet, a goal-getter and a workhorse. Unfortunately for him, an old injury caused him to be crossed off the main squad heading to Germany, and he was instead placed on the reserves list.

Another injury forced him be disqualified from Iran's squad for the 2007 Asian Cup, but he is back to join Team Melli in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.