Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Early and Personal life

Alireza Jahanbakhsh was born on 11 August 1993 in Jirandeh, Gilan Province. When he was aged two his family left Gilan and he spent his childhood in Qazvin.

Damash

Jahanbakhsh played most of his youth in Payam Alborz Qazvin and Persian Qazvin before joining the youth academy of Damash Gilan in 2008. Jahanbaksh started his career in 2010 with Damash Tehran an affiliate of Damash Gilan in the 2nd Division. In 2011 Alireza returned to Gilan and at the age of 17 in 2011, Jahanbakhsh played his first game for Damash Gilan in the Iran Pro League against Mes Kerman as one of Damash's youngest ever players. Alireza scored his first goal on 15 January 2012 in a 1–0 victory against Fajr Sepasi. In 42 league appearances with Damash, he scored 10 goals.

2013–14 season

On 26 May 2013, Jahanbakhsh reached a verbal agreement with Dutch Eredivisie outfit NEC for a three-year deal. This deal was subject to a medical examination and obtaining a visa and work permit. He officially joined the club on 1 July 2013 and made his debut against RKC Waalwijk. He scored his first goal in an 8–0 win over Harkemase Boys in the KNVB Cup. On 1 December 2013, Jahanbakhsh scored two goals and assisted the other in a 3–2 league match win over AZ Alkmaar. On 22 December, he scored and assisted at FC Groningen while providing a secondary assist on 15 February 2014 against RKC Waalwijk. On 22 March, when NEC were down 2–0 at halftime, Jahanbakhsh came on as a substitute after the half and provided an assist to Michael Higdon in their 2–2 draw at Heerenveen.

On the final day of the 2013–14 season, Jahanbakhsh scored two late goals against Ajax to save NEC from automatic relegation, instead securing a relegation playoff spot. Alireza was originally voted the Eredivisie's greatest talent of the season before becoming runner-up to Memphis Depay.

2014–15 season

On the opening day of the 2014–15 Jupiler League, Jahanbakhsh scored a goal in a 3–1 win against FC Eindhoven. On 29 August, he scored two goals and provided two assists in a 4–1 win at Helmond Sport. On 20 September, he scored against FC Emmen to help bring NEC to the top of the league table. Three days later, on 23 September, AJ scored a free kick in extra time and converted a penalty in their win against Ajax II at Amsterdam during the second round of the 2014–15 Dutch Cup. On 3 October, he scored a goal and provided an assist in a 2–1 win against Almere City FC to send NEC to the Eredivisie play-offs as quarter-season league champions. On 17 October 2014, Jahanbakhsh was named the Best Player of the First Period of the 2014–15 Jupiler League.

On 28 November, he opened the scoring with a volley and provided two assists in a 5–1 win over Jong Twente. On 1 February 2015, in his first game upon his return from the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, he scored a bicycle kick and was named man of the match in the 3–1 win over Helmond Sport. On 13 February, he scored a goal and provided two assists in a 3–2 win over FC Emmen with another goal against Achilles '29 days later to bring his tally to 4 goals in 5 consecutive matches after the Asian Cup.

After an excellent showing in the 2014–15 season with NEC, Alireza was linked with a move to several clubs, namely, Celtic, Standard Liège, Club Brugge, Anderlecht, FC Twente, Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord. On 3 April 2015, NEC became champions of the Jupiler League. At the end of the season, Jahanbakhsh was selected by fans as NEC's player of the season. On 12 May 2015 Jahanbakhsh was voted as the Eerste Divisie's best player for the 2014–15 season, with twelve goals and eighteen assists in the league.

2015–16 season

On 3 August 2015 Jahanbakhsh signed a five–year contract with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. He was given number nine as his jersey number, and made his Eredivisie debut for AZ on 12 September 2015 in a 3–1 win over De Graafschap. Jahanbakhsh made his UEFA Europa League debut in a 2–1 group stage win over Athletic Bilbao on 1 October 2015. Alireza recorded his first assist for AZ on 21 November 2015 in a 3–1 victory against Heerenveen. Jahanbakhsh scored his first goal for AZ on 30 January 2016 in a match against his former club NEC. He scored his second goal of the season and also recorded his fourth assist on 13 February 2016 in a 6–3 victory over Heracles Almelo.

2016–17 season

In June 2016 Jahanbakhsh switched from number 9 to number 7 for the upcoming 2016–17 season. On 2 July 2016 in AZ's first preseason match, Jahanbakhsh recorded a goal and an assist in his teams 5–1 victory. On 28th of August he scored his first goal of the season against FC Utrecht. The match was ended 2-1 which Jahanbakhsh scored the winning goal.

On 13 January 2017 Jahanbakhsh scored a brace and recorded an assist, as well as being named man of the match in a 3–1 victory against Go Ahead Eagles. Alireza scored his first ever goal in European competitions on 16 February 2017 in a 4–1 Round of 32 loss to Olympique Lyon.

After leading AZ to the Dutch Cup Final Jahanabakhsh was linked with Scottish champions Celtic, Turkish giants Fenerbahce and English Premier League sides Burnley, Watford and Bournemouth. Jahanbakhsh was chosen as the best winger of the 2016–17 season in the Dutch League.

U20

Jahanbakhsh was part of the squad that played at the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship in China, playing in two games. Being only 16 at the start of the championships in 2010, he continued at the same age group, captaining the national under-20 team for their successful 2012 AFC U-19 Championship qualification by scoring 5 goals in four appearances. At the championships, he added two more to his tally against the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.

U23

Jahanbakhsh was called into Iran's Olympic qualifiers in March 2015 and was named team captain. With the presence of Jahanbakhsh the under-23 team qualified to the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship in Qatar. As the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship was not held during the FIFA International Match Calendar, Jahanbakhsh was not released by AZ Alkmaar.

Senior team

On 5 October 2013, Jahanbakhsh was called up to Team Melli in a 2015 Asian Cup qualifier against Thailand by manager Carlos Queiroz, and he served his first cap as a substitute in the 82nd minute. His first national team goal came in his second game on 15 November in a 3–0 win at Thailand. On 1 June 2014, he was called into Iran's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad by Carlos Queiroz. He played in all three matches against Nigeria, Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Queiroz.

Jahanbakhsh scored Iran's second goal in June 2016 in a 2–0 World Cup qualifier victory against Qatar.

Style of Play

Jahanbakhsh has been compared to Iranian legend Mehdi Mahdavikia. He has been praised for his assisting ability and has been described as a technically gifted player who is able to use both feet. In Holland, Jahanbakhsh established himself as a dangerous and pacy player.

Club

¹ includes two matches in 2013–14 Eredivisie play-offs.

International

Senior

International goals

Club

NEC

AZ Alkmaar

International

Individual