He has had enough...

23-year-old Sadar Azmoun – nicknamed the "Iranian Messi" – has quit international football after his mother's illness worsened due to insults from fans. The Rubin Kazan forward featured for Team Meli at Russia but failed to get on the scoresheet in any of the group stage games despite contributing 11 goals in 14 World Cup qualifying games.

 

Iran, who won their opening game against Morocco, subsequently crashed out of the tournament after a loss to Spain and a draw to Portugal saw them finishing third in Group B. In the statement, Azmoun described his decision as a painful one but insisted that there was no other option to resort to.

"My mother had overcome a serious illness and I was happy.

"Unfortunately because of the unkindness of some people, and the insults that I and my team-mates in no way deserved, her illness has become severe.

"This has put me in a difficult position where I must pick one or the other – and as a result, I pick my mother."

Sadar Azmoum, who is Iran's fifth all-time top goalscorer, amassed 23 goals in 33 games for his country after making his debut aged 19.