Alireza Haghighi (Persian: علیرضا حقیقی, born 6 May 1988) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper.[1]

Alireza Haghighi
Haghighi with Iran in 2014
Personal information
Full name Alireza Haghighi
Date of birth (1988-05-02) 2 May 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Tehran, Iran
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
2001–2002 Saipa
2002–2007 Persepolis
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2012 Persepolis 73 (0)
2012–2016 Rubin Kazan 0 (0)
2013Persepolis (loan) 0 (0)
2014Sporting Covilhã (loan) 12 (0)
2014–2015Penafiel (loan) 22 (0)
2016 Marítimo 4 (0)
2017 Eskilstuna 17 (0)
2018 Sundsvall 0 (0)
2019–2020 Nassaji 21 (0)
2020–2021 Gol Gohar Sirjan 18 (0)
2021–2023 Nassaji 57 (0)
2023–2024 Havadar 27 (0)
International career
2002–2003 Iran U15
2004–2005 Iran U17 5 (0)
2005–2006 Iran U20 6 (0)
2006–2010 Iran U23 4 (0)
2010–2017 Iran 23 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Iran
Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Qatar Team Competition
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:39, 12 March 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:23 , 3 July 2022 (UTC)

Club career

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Persepolis

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Having joined the senior squad of Persepolis at the age of 16, he made his debut in the match against Saipa on 17 October 2006. He saved a very important penalty against the legendary Ali Daei.[2][3] Haghighi had been playing for Persepolis Youth teams since 2002, after being scouted by coaches of Persepolis Football School in past years. He started the 2007–08 season with two other goalkeepers already ahead of him in the pecking order at Persepolis (Hassan Roudbarian, Team Melli's number one and Mehdi Vaezi, who was also invited to the national team, but never capped). During this season, Haghighi did not play at all but extended his contract at the end of the season.

During the 2008–09 season, Haghighi was lucky to play in every game because of injuries to two other goalkeepers, making Haghighi the first keeper for every game. Statistically, he was the number-one keeper during this season. He trained under legendary Iranian keeper Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh.

In the 2007–08 season, he captained Persepolis for the first time in the 2–1 victory against Saipa, making him the youngest captain of Persepolis in its history.

Rubin Kazan

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In December 2011, Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan sent a transfer request to Persepolis. He officially left Persepolis on 9 January 2012.[4] On 14 January 2012, Haghighi signed a 4-year deal with Rubin Kazan.[5][6] He signed a contract with the Russian club on 11 January and made his debut three days later in a pre-season friendly match.

Return to Persepolis (loan)

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On 18 July 2013, Haghighi returned to Persepolis and signed a six months loan contract with the club.[7][8] On 23 October 2013, Haghighi played in a 5–1 win over Padideh Shandiz in a Hazfi Cup match, marked his first match for Persepolis after 18 months. He then played another Hazfi Cup match against Alvand Hamedan, which he kept a clean sheet.

His loan contract ended on 3 December 2013.[9]

Sporting Covilhã (loan)

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Haghighi was called back to the Rubin Kazan side during the 2014 winter transfer period. In January 2014, Haghighi signed a loan contract with Portuguese Segunda Liga side Sporting Covilhã, on loan from Rubin Kazan.[10] With Haghighi in net, Sporting Covilha avoided relegation. After 14 appearances with the club, Haghighi's loan contract ended and he returned to Rubin.

Penafiel (loan)

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On 24 August 2014, Haghighi signed a one-year loan contract with Primeira Liga side Penafiel.[1] They won their first game on 20 September against Vitória with Haghighi keeping a clean sheet in their 2–0 win.[11] On 24 February 2015 Haghighi was named the Primeira Liga Player of the Week for Matchday 22 after his clean sheet in a 1–0 against Vitórial.[12] After his good performances at Penafiel, Sporting Braga became interested in Haghighi.[13]

Return to Rubin Kazan

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Haghighi returned to Rubin for the 2015–16 season. He played in a pre-season friendly on 8 July 2015 against Karlsruher SC in a match that finished 2–2.[14] He played his first official game for Rubin on 24 September 2015 in a Russian Cup game against FC SKA-Energiya Khabarovsk which his team lost 0–2.[15]

Marítimo

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On 22 January 2016, Haghighi signed a 30-month contract with Marítimo in the Primeira Liga, reuniting with his former coach, Nelo Vingada.[16] Haghighi received his ITC on 27 January 2016 and was cleared to play for the club. Haghighi made his league debut for Marítimo on 14 February 2016 against S.C. Braga.[17] Haghighi kept his first clean–sheet for the club on 28 February 2016 in a 1–0 victory against Académica. Marítimo and Haghighi agreed to terminate his contract on 20 August 2016.

AFC Eskilstuna

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On 13 March 2017, he signed a one-year contract with the Swedish club AFC Eskilstuna, competing in the top tier Allsvenskan.[18] However shortly after joining the team he suffered a major injury and was ruled out for several months. Haghighi returned to training in late June 2017. Alireza finally debuted on 8 July 2017 in a 1–0 loss to Sirius.

Haghighi was named in an Allsvenskan team of the week in August after great performances since his return from injury,[19] and on 19 August 2017 he assisted a goal in his team's 3–1 victory against Malmö.[20]

GIF Sundsvall

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On 13 March 2018, he signed a contract with another Swedish club GIF Sundsvall, competing in the top tier Allsvenskan.[21] The duration of his contract was 3 months, until the end of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He was released from the team on 11 May 2018.

International career

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Haghighi before match against Montenegro, 26 May 2014

Youth teams

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Haghighi led Iran to the finals of West Asian U-15 tournament, held in Qatar in 2002, He was first keeper Iran U17 at 2004 AFC U-17 Championship,[22] also playing all three games for Iran U20 at 2006 AFC Youth Championship.[23][24][25] He made three appearances in 2005 Valentin A.Granatkin Memorial – International Youth Tournament for Iran U20.[26]

Olympic team

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Haghighi was invited to Iran U23 in Asian Games 2006,[2] although he did not play any match.[27] He did not play in 2008 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament and Sosha Makani was the first choice. Under Gholam Peyrovani's management of Iran U23, He was invited again;[28][29] but missed many trainings and friendly matches of Iran U23, including Tehran 6-Team Tournament,[30][31] South Africa Camp,[32] and friendly match against Poland.[33] Peyrovani did not invite Haghighi for 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games stating "he is too old to play in 2012 London Olympics",[34] despite inviting 28 years old Mehdi Rahmati as a Wild Card player.[35][36] Peyrovani also rejected having any problems with Haghighi.[37]

Senior team

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Haghighi was called up to Iran national football team in 2010 under management of Afshin Ghotbi.[38] In 2012 Haghighi was called up to the 2012 WAFF Championship in Kuwait. He started in a game against Bahrain. The game ended 0–0.

2014 FIFA World Cup

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Haghighi starting match against Argentina national football team

On 1 June 2014, he was included in Iran's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad by Carlos Queiroz.[39] On 16 June 2014, Haghighi started in Iran's opening match in the World Cup against Nigeria. Haghighi became the first Iranian goalkeeper to achieve a clean sheet at a FIFA World Cup with a goalless draw. He also started Iran's next two matches in the World Cup against Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He showed a good performance in the Argentina match, where he saved shots from Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio Agüero. He conceded the match's only goal in the 91st minute when Lionel Messi dribbled inside and curled a left-footed shot past the outstretched hands of Haghighi. In Iran's next and final tournament match, Haghighi conceded goals from Bosnia and Herzegovina strikers, where Iran was eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the group stages after a 3–1 defeat.

2015 AFC Asian Cup

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He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Carlos Queiroz. Haghighi was one of three goalkeepers that kept a clean sheet throughout the group stages of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup[40]

Club career statistics

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As of 6 April 2018
Iran Season League Hazfi Cup Asia Other Total
Club Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Persepolis Pro League 2006–07 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2007–08 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2008–09 20 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 24 0
2009–10 15 0 4 0 0 0 19 0
2010–11 20 0 6 0 3 0 0 0 29 0
2011–12 14 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 17 0
Nassaji Persian Gulf Pro League 2019-20 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 0
Gol Gohar Persian Gulf Pro League 2020-21 18 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
Nassaji Persian Gulf Pro League 2021-22 27 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 32 0
2022-23 30 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 35 0
Havadar Persian Gulf Pro League 2023-24 20 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 21 0
Russia Season League Russian Cup Europe Other Total
Club Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rubin Kazan Premier League 2011–12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2012–13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iran Season League Hazfi Cup Asia Other Total
Club Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Persepolis Pro League 2013–14 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0
Portugal Season League Taça de Portugal Europe Other Total
Club Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Covilhã Segunda Liga 2013–14 12 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Penafiel Primeira Liga 2014–15 22 0 1 0 0 0 23 0
Marítimo 2015–16 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
2016–17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Russia Season League Russian Cup Europe Other Total
Club Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rubin Kazan Premier League 2015–16 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Eskilstuna Allsvenskan 2017 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0
Sundsvall 2018 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total Iran 179 0 16 0 6 0 1 0 202 0
Russia 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Portugal 38 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 40 0
Sweden 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17 0
Career total 235 0 19 0 6 0 1 0 261 0

Honours

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Persepolis

Rubin Kazan

Nassaji

Iran U23

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b "Acordo total por Haghighi - Jornal Record". 26 August 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b (in Persian) Haddadpour, Mehdi; Zarei, Asghar. Persepolis F.C. Official pictorial lexicon and Yearbook of 2007–2008. Honarkade Khojaste
  3. ^ "Iran Youth team debut on Sunday". Iran Sports Press. 28 October 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  4. ^ "Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & More". Goal.com.
  5. ^ "Goalkeeper Alireza Khagigi became player of "Rubin"". Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Iran keeper heads to Russia". Int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  7. ^ "علیرضا حقیقی به تیم فوتبال پرسپولیس پیوست". Varzesh3.com.
  8. ^ "Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & More". Goal.com.
  9. ^ "بازگشت علیرضا حقیقی به روبین کازان". Mashreghnews.ir. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Iran heads to FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup - PersianLeague.Com (Iran Football League)". Persianleague.com. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Penafiel wins first game of season in Portugal". USA TODAY. 20 September 2014.
  12. ^ "portugaldesportivo.net". Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  13. ^ "Todas as notícias do Sporting de Braga na Liga NOS". Record.pt. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Рубин" - "Карлсруэ". Прямая трансляция матча. 8 July 2015 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ "SKA-Energiya-Rubin game report" (in Russian). Russian National Football League. 24 September 2015.
  16. ^ "Tasnim News Agency - Maritimo Signs Iran Goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi". Tasnim News Agency.
  17. ^ "Marítimo vs. Sporting Braga - 14 February 2016 - Soccerway".
  18. ^ "VM-målvakt klar för AFC Eskilstuna". AFC Eskilstuna. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  19. ^ "FD-ELVAN: De bästa spelarna i omgång 19 - Fotbolldirekt – Experten på svensk fotboll".
  20. ^ "Alireza Haghighi". Whoscored.com. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  21. ^ "Sundsvall varvar duon klar for laget". Expressen.se. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  22. ^ "Iran Sport". Iran Sport. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  23. ^ "AFC Youth Championship 2006: Heartbreak for Iran as Japan, DPR Korea go through to last eight". Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  24. ^ "AFC Youth Championship 2006: Jong, Kim double up as DPR Korea thrash Iran". Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  25. ^ "Iran rally for 3-1 win over Tajikistan". Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  26. ^ "RSSSF". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  27. ^ Behnegarsoft.com. "Aftab". Aftabnews.ir. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  28. ^ [1] [permanent dead link]
  29. ^ "Khabaronline". Khabaronline.ir. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  30. ^ "IRIB". Iribnews.ir. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  31. ^ "Mehr". Mehrnews.com. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  32. ^ "Fars". Farsnews.net. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  33. ^ "Fardanews". Fardanews.com. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  34. ^ "Goal.com". Goal.com (in Persian). 7 November 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  35. ^ [2] [dead link]
  36. ^ "Aftab". Aftabir.com. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  37. ^ "asriran". Asriran.com. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  38. ^ "Goal.com" (in Persian). Goal.com. 27 December 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  39. ^ "Queiroz trims Iran squad to 24". Fifa.com. FIFA.com. 1 June 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  40. ^ "Queiroz Names Team Melli Squad". afcasiancup.com. 30 December 2014. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015.
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