Masoud Soleimani Shojaei is an Iranian coach and former professional footballer.
25 Facts About Masoud Shojaei
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Masoud Shojaei is currently the manager of Persian Gulf Pro League club Mes Rafsanjan.
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An Iranian international since 2004, Masoud Shojaei has represented his country in three World Cups and four Asian Cups.
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Masoud Shojaei was born in Shiraz, and lived most of his life in Abadan and Tehran.
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Masoud Shojaei started his career with Sanat Naft Abadan FC before moving to Saipa FC of Karaj in the Iran Pro League; having signed at the age of 19, he went on to play three seasons with the latter.
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Napoli, Masoud Shojaei signed with Spanish side CA Osasuna for three years, teaming up with compatriot Javad Nekounam.
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On 3 September 2013, Masoud Shojaei moved clubs but stayed in Spain, joining Segunda Division side UD Las Palmas on a one-year contract.
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On 22 July 2016, Masoud Shojaei joined Super League Greece side Panionios on a one-year contract.
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Masoud Shojaei enjoyed a successful first season, and subsequently extended his contract until June 2018; on 25 December 2017 he severed his link by mutual consent and agreed to a six-month deal at fellow league team AEK Athens three days later, announcing on his Instagram he would be wearing number 24 in tribute of Hadi Norouzi who died in 2015.
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Masoud Shojaei contributed to the club's first national championship conquest in 24 years, he left the club.
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Masoud Shojaei declined, instead being named assistant to Ahad Sheykhlari while being involved in the taking of decisions in training.
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On 5 October 2021, Masoud Shojaei joined Nassaji on a two-year contract, reuniting with former Tractor manager Saket Elhami.
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Whilst at Saipa, Masoud Shojaei earned a place in Iranian national under-23 team, catching the eye of full side coach Branko Ivankovic.
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On 1 June 2014, Masoud Shojaei was included in Carlos Queiroz's list for the World Cup.
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Masoud Shojaei appeared as a substitute in the team's opening draw with Nigeria, and was selected in the starting line-up for the following group matches against Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
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On 30 December 2014, Masoud Shojaei was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad.
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Masoud Shojaei captained the squad in 2018 World Cup qualification home matches against China and Uzbekistan.
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On 18 March 2018, Masoud Shojaei was called up for friendlies against Tunisia and Algeria, being criticised after his return against the former by an Iranian member of parliament who called for his life ban.
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Masoud Shojaei was eventually selected for the finals in Russia as team captain, becoming the first Iranian player to travel to three World Cups.
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In December 2018, Masoud Shojaei was selected for Iran's 23-man squad for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
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Masoud Shojaei became the only Iranian to participate in seven international tournaments.
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Masoud Shojaei expressed support for the Iranian Green Movement on 17 June 2009, when he wore a green bracelet against South Korea in a World Cup 2010 qualifier along with five other players.
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Masoud Shojaei was summoned to the Ethics Committee of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Masoud Shojaei reportedly called for repealing the ban, when he met with president Hassan Rouhani in July 2017.
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Masoud Shojaei's sister, Maryam, was an activist campaigning for women's rights in Iran.