TEHRAN – Iran international striker Sardar Azmoun came out of retirement after he participated in Team Melli training camp in Tehran.

The 23-year-old forward had announced his retirement from international football shortly after the 2018 World Cup.

Azmoun had decided to quit the national team because insults aimed at him during the competition.

Iran were knocked out of the World Cup with a win over Morocco, a defeat against Spain and a draw with Portugal in their three Group B matches, and Azmoun, Iran’s top scorer in qualifying, did not replicate his best form in Russia, where he failed to score a single goal.

The most promising young talent in Iran’s national setup, Azmoun represented the country at youth level before moving to Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan at 18.

Azmoun was invited to Team Melli for the friendly match against Uzbekistan in September but had not accepted to represent Iran.  

Carlos Queiroz is going to end Iran’s 43-year wait to become champions of Asia.