Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht


Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht is an Iranian football coach and retired player. He has played for Aboomoslem, Esteghlal, Al-Wasl, Persepolis, Steel Azin, Saba Qom, Paykan, Damash Gilan, Khoneh Be Khoneh, and the Iran national team for which he scored 14 goals in 73 appearances. He announced his retirement at the end of the 2014–15 season and, on 16 February 2015, played the final game of his 17-year career.
Nikbakht's professional career began with Aboomoslem, where he made his first-team debut in 1998 aged 18. He then played three seasons with Esteghlal, winning the Iranian league and the Hazfi Cup twice with the club. In June 2006 Nikbakht signed a three-year contract with Persian Gulf Pro League club Persepolis. While an Persepolis player, Nikbakht won once Iranian league titles, and was the second top-goalscorer in the 2003–04 season for Persepolis, an impressive feat for a winger. After leaving the club in 2009 aged-28, Nikbakht made a long-awaited move to rich club to play for Steel Azin. after that Nikbakht joined Saba Qom. Nikbakht agreed to play for Paykan with promotion-challenge in the Azadegan League At the club he had relative success, winning the Azadegan League in 2011–12. then Nikbakht signed contract with Damash Gilan and play in Persian Gulf Pro League after one season. Later in his career, he rejoined former coach Amir Ghalenoei and play for Esteghlal after seven year. Nikbakht ended his playing career in Iran with Khoneh Be Khoneh, in third level of Iranian league in Iran Football's 2nd Division. In international football, Nikbakht made his Iran debut on 24 November 2000, at the age of 20. He made 74 career appearances in total, appearing at three tournament and two major qualification tournaments including AFC/OFC Cup Challenge, 2002, WAFF Championship, 2000 AFC Asian Cup qualification, 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification, and 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifications 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification and 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification. Nikbakht for personal reasons decision not play for Iran in 2004 Asian Cup and 2006 FIFA World Cup. one of the best performance of Nikbakht with National team was friendly match against Germany in Azadi Stadium in fact His performance in the Iran–Germany friendly game for Bam victims held in Azadi Stadium in Tehran in October 2004 was very good From the point of view of the German media.

Club career

Starting out in Aboomoslem and then being transferred to Esteghlal, he improved in a short period of time. His excellent performance for his club eventually lead to his inclusion in the national squad.

Al-Wasl (loan)

Nikbakht Vahedi signed a four-month loan deal For the second half of the season 2004–05 with Al-Wasl. He scored his league with a goal 25 May 2005, 1–2 lose over Al-Ahli.

Esteghlal

Nikbakht was instrumental in helping Esteghlal grab the 2005–06 league championship with an electrifying display in the win over Bargh Shiraz. The win resulted in Esteghlal edging Pas for the IPL championship.

Persepolis

In June 2006 he signed a two-year contract with Esteghlal's fierce rival, Persepolis which caused him to lose his popularity among Esteghlal fans. He played in the final of the Hazfi Cup for Persepolis and scored in first match but missed a penalty in the second leg. In the 2006–07 season in Persepolis, Nikbakht played as a forward, which made him score 8 goals in 25 appearances and have 8 assists in the league. In his second season for Persepolis, he won the league and had his best season of his career with 9 goals and 7 assists.
In January 2008, Nikbakht was invited to go on a trial with Sheffield United. He was the most influential player after Ali Karimi for Persepolis in 2008–09 season.

Tractor Sazi

He signed for Tractor Sazi in summer 2009 but for disciplinary reason he was not able to play for the first half of the season and his contract was canceled.

Steel Azin

For the second half of the season 2009–10 he joined Steel Azin.

Saba Qom

He moved to Saba in 2010 and played in the first half of the season but for unknown reasons he did not continue with the team and there were rumours that again there has been disciplinary actions against him which prevented him to play in the top level.

Paykan

Then he moved to Paykan in Azadegan League which he got promoted to the league for the season after with the team.

Gahar Zagros

In July 2012, he signed a one-year contract with Gahar but he was still banned to play in Iran Pro League due disciplinary actions.

Damash Gilan

he terminated his contract with Gahar Zagros and joins Damash Gilan.

Return to Esteghlal

On 1 July 2013, Nikbakht returned to Esteghlal after seven years, after signing a one-year contract.

Khoneh Be Khoneh

On 22 December 2014, Nikbakht signed a three-and-a-half-month contact with promotion-battling Iran Football's 2nd Division club FC Khoneh Be Khoneh until the end of the season.

Club career statistics

SeasonTeamAssists
05–06Esteghlal4
06–07Persepolis8
07–08Persepolis7
08–09Persepolis4
10–11Saba3
12–13Damash1

International career

He made his first appearance for Iran in a World Cup qualifying game against Guam in Tabriz in December 2000. He scored on his debut.
Nikbakht's performance in the national squad was instrumental in Iran's progress to the next WC qualifying round. However, his disciplinary problems has created difficulties for the national team coaches and he is often viewed as a primadonna. Nonetheless, his darting runs on the flanks and his pace continues to be a great asset for his team, and most fans will not forget his winning goal in a crucial World Cup 2006 qualifier against Jordan.
He won the 2002 Asian Games and 2004 West Asian Football Federation Championship with Team Melli.
There had been rampant speculation that an in form Nikbaht would definitely make Branko Ivankovic's final 23 men list for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Branko Ivankovic had himself alluded to this by stating that "I love Nikbaht" in an interview, but that his hitherto out-of-form play was the major impediment for him reclaiming his spot in Team Melli. Many had tagged him as the saviour for Iran's left-back defensive complications as he is naturally left-footed, good physique, quick with his feet, a goal-getter and a workhorse. Unfortunately for him, an old injury caused him to be crossed off the main squad heading to Germany, and he was instead placed on the reserves list.
Another injury forced him be disqualified from Iran's squad for the 2007 Asian Cup, but he is back to join Team Melli in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

Exit from national team

After a heated dispute with Federation official disciplinary board, Nikbakht was axed from playing for national team for the rest of his career. This marks the second time the player has been penalised for behaviour problems.

International goals

#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
124 November 2000Takhti Stadium, Tabriz4-019-02002 FIFA World Cup qualification
219 January 2001Azadi Stadium, Tehran3-04-0Friendly
31 August 2001Khalifa Stadium, Doha1-11-2Friendly
415 August 2001Tehelné Pole Stadium, Bratislava3-34-3Friendly
55 October 2001Azadi Stadium, Tehran1-01-02002 FIFA World Cup qualification
63 September 2002Al Abbassiyyine Stadium, Damascus2-02-02002 WAFF
77 September 2002Al Abbassiyyine Stadium, Damascus2-12-22002 WAFF
85 September 2003Azadi Stadium, Tehran2-14-12004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
919 November 2003Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, Beirut3-03-02004 AFC Asian Cup qualification
1021 June 2004Azadi Stadium, Tehran2-07-12004 WAFF
118 September 2004Amman International Stadium, Amman1-02-02006 FIFA World Cup qualification
1218 February 2004Azadi Stadium, Tehran1-03-12006 FIFA World Cup qualification
1324 March 2007Khalifa International Stadium, Doha1-01-0Friendly
1426 March 2008Kuwait National Stadium, Kuwait City1-02-22010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

;Esteghlal
;Persepolis
;Paykan
;Iran