16/09/2025
*"African and Iranian Football: A Future of Collaboration and Success"*
Bahador Arshadi is a professional football advisor and players’ representative, with years of experience guiding young talents and professional athletes toward international success. He is also the author of the bestselling book “The Path of Championship” and the upcoming title “Behind the Scenes of Glory”, which focus on the journey of footballers and the crucial role of family in player development.
With deep knowledge of both Middle Eastern and international football markets, Bahador specializes in talent development, career management, and transfer negotiations. His mission is to connect Iranian and international football by creating opportunities for young players to reach the highest levels of the game.
Q: From your perspective as an Iranian football advisor and player representative, how do you see the difference between African talent and Iranian talent?
That’s a very interesting and important question. Both Africa and Iran have a huge pool of raw football talent, but the main difference is in how that talent is discovered, nurtured, and transitioned to professional levels.
In Africa, many players grow up playing football in the streets, in academies supported by local clubs, or even through international scouting networks. They often develop extraordinary physical attributes—speed, strength, endurance—and a natural flair for the game. Their raw ability gets noticed quickly by European scouts, because African football has become a hotspot for talent acquisition worldwide.
In Iran, the situation is different. Iranian players usually develop their talent within organized clubs, youth academies connected to professional teams, and school or federation-based programs. The Iranian player often combines strong tactical understanding, discipline, and technical ability. However, the pathway from youth to international exposure is more restricted compared to Africa, mainly due to less scouting presence from big European clubs, fewer international tournaments for young players, and political or logistical barriers.
Q: So would you say the talent gap is about quality or about opportunity?
Exactly—it’s not about quality, it’s about opportunity. If you put an Iranian talent and an African talent side by side, both can compete at the highest level. The difference is that African players are more often seen. European clubs and agents have a much stronger presence in Africa. They invest in academies, they create direct pipelines from local communities to Europe. In Iran, despite having incredible players, the visibility is much lower.
Q: What do you think needs to change in Iranian football to compete with African countries in talent acquisition?
Iran needs to open the doors wider for international exposure. That means:
1. More participation in youth international tournaments.
2. Encouraging European clubs to scout in Iran.
3. Building professional partnerships with foreign academies.
4. Educating families and young players about the professional mindset needed for global football.
African football has already built a reputation for being a source of raw, powerful, and exciting players. Iran must build its reputation as a source of disciplined, intelligent, and technically skilled players. Once that happens, we will see more Iranian talents breaking into top leagues, just like African players.
Q: Do you see a future where African and Iranian football can collaborate?
Absolutely. I think collaboration is key. Imagine Iranian tactical discipline and technical work combined with African athleticism and flair—it would be a fantastic partnership. Football is no longer about one nation, it’s about global collaboration. I truly believe that the next step for Iranian football is to connect more with African academies, European scouts, and global talent pathways.
