Sardar Azmoun, the Iranian striker omitted from the national team's preliminary World Cup squad, has posted a heartfelt message on social media declaring his love for his country and wishing the team well. The 31-year-old, Iran's second all-time top scorer, addressed what he called misunderstandings that led to hasty judgments.

Azmoun was left out of coach Amir Ghalenoei's preliminary squad, officially due to injury. However, media reports in March suggested he was expelled after posting a photo of a meeting with Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Azmoun has scored 57 goals in 91 appearances and played in the last two World Cups.

In his post, Azmoun wrote: 'I have always played for my national team with pride. When we won, I was proud of myself and my teammates. When we didn’t, I was more upset than anyone else.' He revealed that as a teenager he received a 'very large financial offer' to represent another country but refused, saying: 'I am a son of Iran, and I want to play for my people.'

Azmoun concluded by wishing the World Cup squad success: 'Go out there and smash it, my friends. Make the hearts of the people of Iran happy.' The Iranian team is currently training in Turkey and will fly to Arizona, USA, in early June. They face New Zealand on June 15, Belgium on June 21, and Egypt on June 26. Striker Mehdi Taremi, who plays for Olympiacos, will lead the attack.

Source: www.aljazeera.com