Seyyed Jalal Hosseini (Persian: سید جلال حسینی; born 3 February 1982), commonly known as Seyyed Jalal or Jalal Hosseini, is a former Iranian professional footballer who played as a centre-back and was the captain of Iranian club Persepolis.

Jalal Hosseini
Hosseini with Perspolis in 2019
Personal information
Full name Seyed Jalal Hosseini[1]
Date of birth (1982-02-03) 3 February 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth Bandar Anzali, Iran[2]
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Centre back
Team information
Current team
Persepolis (assistant coach)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2005 Malavan 84 (2)
2005–2009 Saipa 117 (8)
2009–2012 Sepahan 94 (4)
2012–2014 Persepolis 57 (2)
2014–2015 Al Ahli 26 (0)
2015–2016 Naft Tehran 24 (2)
2016–2022 Persepolis 138 (6)
Total 576 (24)
International career
2006–2010 Iran Olympic 13 (5)
2007–2018 Iran 115[3] (8)
Managerial career
2022– Persepolis (assistant)
Medal record
Representing  Iran
Men's Football
Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place 2006 Qatar Team Competition
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

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 edit

Hosseini was born on 3 February 1982 in Bandar-e Anzali,[2] Gilan Province. He majored in German Studies.

Club career edit

Saipa edit

 
Hosseini playing for Saipa in a 2008 AFC Champions League match

Hosseini moved from Malavan to Saipa in summer 2005. Before that he was link with a move to Piroozi 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.[4] 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 edit

Hosseini 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 centre-backs.

Persepolis edit

Hosseini signed a one-year contract with Tehran's reds until the end of 2012–13 Season.[5] 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 edit

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.[6]

Naft Tehran edit

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, he and many Naft players and management had disputes with the board as they had not been paid. As a result of this he left the club before the 2016–17 season.

Persepolis edit

 
Hosseini celebrates scoring for Persepolis in the 2018 AFC Champions League

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 led Persepolis to a consecutive Persian Pro League in which he was an indisputable player and played a big role in team.

Asian Football Confederation website wrote Hosseini was a solid defender for Persepolis.[7]

On 25 June 2022, Hosseini confirmed his retirement from football as a player. He called the decision "difficult" but "right". At this time, with 9 league titles, he is considered the most honorable and unattainable Iranian player in this regard.[8] Varzesh 3, described his retirement as "start of the Superman in a coaching suit", hoping he will start coaching immediately.[9]

International career edit

 
Iranian Football Federation appreciates Hosseini after his retirement from international football in 2018

Hosseini was a member of Iran U23 national 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 Iran 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.[10] He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Carlos Queiroz.[11] In 2016, Hosseini was selected as one of the top 3 defenders in the world by France Football magazine in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.[12] In May 2018 he was named in Iran's preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia[13] but did not make the final 23.[14] On 1 December 2018, Hosseini announced his retirement from international football.

Player profile edit

Style of play edit

 
Hosseini (in white) playing for Iran at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Hosseini is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in history of Iranian football.[15] Also he is the most decorated player in Iranian football league.[16] His tactical awareness and athleticism, intelligent positioning, and aggressive playing style, led the team in defensive positions.[15]

High running rate, fighting and cutting power and excellent leadership are the features of Hosseini's style of play. He is also mentioned as a player who respected the legacy of the Persepolis club, that is, ethics in sports.[17]

Career statistics edit

Club edit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[a] Continental[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Malavan 2002–03 Pro League 24 0 0 0 _ 24 0
2003–04 Azadegan League 30 0 0 0 _ 30 0
2004–05 Pro League 30 2 2 0 _ 32 2
Total 84 2 2 0 _ 86 2
Saipa 2005–06 Pro League 28 1 0 0 _ 28 1
2006–07 26 3 2 0 _ 28 3
2007–08 34 1 1 0 4 0 _ 39 1
2008–09 29 3 1 0 _ 30 3
Total 117 8 4 0 4 0 _ 125 8
Sepahan 2009–10 Pro League 31 1 1 0 6 1 _ 38 2
2010–11 33 2 4 0 9 0 _ 46 2
2011–12 30 1 1 0 7 1 _ 38 2
Total 94 4 6 0 22 2 _ 122 6
Persepolis 2012–13 Pro League 30 1 5 0 _ 35 1
2013–14 27 1 2 0 _ 29 1
Total 57 2 7 0 _ 64 2
Al-Ahli 2014–15 QSL 25 0 1 0 _ 26 0
Naft Tehran 2015–16 Pro League 24 2 1 0 3 0 _ 28 2
Persepolis 2016–17 Pro League 27 1 0 0 8 0 _ 35 1
2017–18 20 0 2 0 13 1 _ 35 1
2018–19 29 1 5 0 5 1 _ 39 2
2019–20 18 0 3 0 1 0 _ 22 0
2020–21 25 4 2 0 10 2 1 0 38 6
2021–22 19 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 23 0
Total 138 6 13 0 39 4 2 0 192 10
Career total 539 24 34 0 68 6 2 0 643 30

International edit

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Iran 2007 11 1
2008 16 1
2009 14 0
2010 12 1
2011 13 2
2012 8 0
2013 8 1
2014 7 0
2015 10 1
2016 9 1
2017 6[i] 0
2018 1 0
Total 115 8
  1. ^ In some sources, Hosseini's national cap against   Iraq on 18 March 2017 is not mentioned.
Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hosseini goal.
List of international goals scored by Jalal Hosseini
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 11 July 2007 Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Uzbekistan 1–1 2–1 2007 AFC Asian Cup
2 26 March 2008 Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait   Kuwait 2–0 2–2 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
3 1 October 2010 Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan   Iraq 1–0 2–1 WAFF 2010
4 17 July 2011 Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran   Madagascar 1–0 1–0 Friendly
5 11 October 2011 Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran   Bahrain 1–0 6–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 15 October 2013 Azadi Stadium, Tehran, Iran   Thailand 1–0 2–1 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
7 8 October 2015 Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman   Oman 1–1 1–1 2018 WCQ and 2019 ACQ
8 6 October 2016 Bunyodkor Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan   Uzbekistan 1–0 1–0 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours edit

 
Hosseini celebrating after winning his 8th Persian Gulf Pro League trophy.

Saipa

Sepahan

Persepolis

Iran U23 (Wild card)

Individual

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "سازمان لیگ فوتبال ایران". Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b "رکورد ملوانی‌ها در بازی ایران و ژاپن". 13 October 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
  3. ^ Seyed Jalal Hosseini - Century of International Appearances Archived 3 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine RSSSF
  4. ^ "2005–2006 Season Appearances". IPLstats.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2007.
  5. ^ Hosseini joins Perspolis Archived 9 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "منتظری جانشین حسینی در الأهلی شد". Iranian Students' News Agency. 31 May 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
  7. ^ "Jalal Hosseini A Solid Defender for Persepolis in AFC Champions League - Sports news". Tasnim News Agency. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  8. ^ "سیدجلال حسینی: می‌خواستم روز خداحافظی‌ام عدد ۴ داشته باشد/ بازی خداحافظی؟ نه! دوست داشتم با یک عکس از مردم خداحافظی کنم". www.khabarvarzeshi.com (in Persian). 26 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  9. ^ "رسمی؛ آغاز دوران مربیگری سیدجلال حسینی". ورزش سه (in Persian). Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  10. ^ "Queiroz trims Iran squad to 24". FIFA.com. 1 June 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  11. ^ "Queiroz Names Team Melli Squad". afcasiancup.com. 30 December 2014. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015.
  12. ^ "France Football, toute l'actualité du football et du Ballon d'Or". Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  13. ^ "World Cup 2018: All the confirmed squads for this summer's finals in Russia".
  14. ^ "Carlos Queiroz Names Provisional Iran Squad for FIFA World Cup 2018". IFPNews.com. 20 May 2018. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  15. ^ a b "Jalal Hosseini, the art of defending". Tehran Times. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  16. ^ "Persepolis captain Hosseini reveals his best goal ever". Tehran Times. 17 July 2020. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  17. ^ "سید جلال حسینی،الگوی نسل جوان". alborzvarzeshi.com. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  18. ^ "The Best ACL2018 XI announced!". the-AFC. Archived from the original on 13 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  19. ^ "ACL Legends: IR Iran | Football | News | AFC Champions League 2021". Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Persepolis's Hosseini chosen as Iranian ACL legend". 28 March 2020. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.

External links edit