Jalal Hosseini


Seyyed Jalaleddin Hosseini, commonly known as Jalal Hosseini, is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back and captains Iranian club Persepolis. He has been a member of Iran's under-23 side as a wild card player on two occasions, in the 2006 and 2010 Asian Games, winning a bronze medal in 2006. Hosseini has represented Iran at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, 2011 AFC Asian Cup, 2015 AFC Asian Cup, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Early life and education

Hosseini was born on 3 February 1982 in Bandar-e Anzali, Gilan Province. He majored in German Studies.

Club career

Saipa

He moved from Malavan to Saipa in summer 2005. Before that he was link with a move to Persepolis but the move was cancelled. During the 2005–06 season, he was the most consistent player for his club, making 28 full appearances and scoring one goal. He continued his solid performance for Saipa during the 2006–07 season with 26 full appearances and one goal and also won the league. He also played in the AFC Champions League matches for Saipa.

Sepahan

He signed for Sepahan in summer 2009 and became their regular player for the season. He won the Persian Gulf Cup for three times in a row with Sepahan. After three years and 94 league appearances, Hosseini left the club in 2012 as one of the league's most established Center Backs.

Persepolis

He signed a one-year contract with Tehran's reds until the end of 2012–13 Season. He extended his contract with Persepolis for one year in February 2013, keeping him in the team till 2014. He was regarded as the Iran Pro League's best defender. He was one of the main players in Persepolis' second place league finish in 2014. Hosseini was named the best defender in the 2013–14 season.

Al-Ahli

On 17 July 2014, Hosseini joined Qatar Stars League's Al-Ahli with signing a one-year contract. He left the club in May 2015.

Naft Tehran

Hosseini left Qatar and joined Persian Gulf Pro League runners–up Naft Tehran in the summer of 2015. With Hosseini Naft reached the quarter–finals of the 2015 AFC Champions League. Midway through the season, Hosseini and many Naft players and management had disputes with the board as they had not been paid. As a result of this Hosseini left the club before the 2016–17 season.

Persepolis

In spring of 2016, after days of negotiation, Hosseini announced he had signed with his former club Persepolis. Shortly after he was announced as the club captain for the 2016–17 season. He leads Persepolis to a consecutive Persian Pro League in which he was an indisputable Player and played a big role in team.

Club career statistics

Persepolis statistics

International career

Hosseini was a member of Iran national under-23 football team, participating in the 2006 Asian Games. He debuted for the senior national team in a friendly match against Belarus in February 2007.
Having joined Team Melli again in July 2007, he played in all four of Iran's matches and scored Iran's first goal in its opening match at the 2007 Asian Cup against Uzbekistan.
He was called again for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification and 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification matches. He also played in 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification for Team Melli and 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification. He featured in West Asian Football Federation Championship 2010 and 2011 Asian Cup. On 1 June 2014, he was called into Iran's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad by Carlos Queiroz. He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Carlos Queiroz.
In May 2018 he was named in Iran's preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia but did not make the final 23. On 1 December 2018, Hosseini announced his retirement from international football.

International caps

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
111 July 2007Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur1–12–12007 AFC Asian Cup
226 March 2008Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City2–02–22010 FIFA World Cup qualification
31 October 2010Amman International Stadium, Amman1–02–1WAFF 2010
417 July 2011Azadi Stadium, Tehran1–01–0Friendly
511 October 2011Azadi Stadium, Tehran1–06–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
615 October 2013Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran1–02–12015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
78 October 2015Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat1–11–12018 WCQ and 2019 ACQ
86 October 2016Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent1–01–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

;Saipa
;Sepahan
;Persepolis
;Iran U23