The 23-year-old feels the abuse he and his team-mates have suffered has affected his mother, resulting in him ending his international career
Iran striker Sardar Azmoun has quit the national team at the age of 23 following their elimination from the World Cup.
Iran were knocked out of the tournament after finishing third in Group B, just one point behind Spain and Portugal.
Carlos Queiroz's team earned the respect and admiration of football fans across the world as they impressed in a narrow defeat to Spain and then came close to getting the better of Euro 2016 winners Portugal, only to see a late effort hit the side-netting with the game tied at 1-1.
"My mother had overcome a serious illness and I was happy. Unfortunately because of the unkindness of some people, and the insults that me 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."
Azmoun, known as the 'Iranian Messi', made his debut for the national team in 2014 and went on to score 23 goals in 36 games.
He is the latest Iran player to call time on his international career, having seen striker Reza Ghoochannejhad announce his retirement upon their return from Russia

www.goal.com/en/news/i-pick-my-mother-azmoun-quits-iran-amid-insults-after-world/1spwn5efaa73x10fcmt9uwgxhl

The once insulting can not even kick ball

People need to take it easy on these players, insulting their families is a big no no. Iran didn't do so bad at the mundial, sadly not every team can qualify for the next round. Fans to take chill pills biko

God bless him. The best decision any worthy son can make.

He is a lethal striker

what an amazing goal rate

Mama's boy like me. Anything concerning mumsy, we die there . No even try.

bullying is everywhere i don't know why people don't wanna mind dere business.

This is nairaland

.

I like his guts

Some fans can be stupidly emotional

So dey want dem to qualify ahead of Spain and Portugal?

Best decision taken by a true son of his mother.

This guy better pass Igala abi na ighalo 1000 times and he no dey even think of retiring after all the swear we swear for am. All Naija players should follow this guy step

As for me, I will keep insulting Ighalo untill he drops the Number 9 shirt. He doesn't deserve it

Kelamma:
Mama's boy like me. Anything concerning mumsy, we die there . No even try.

I swear we die there!!!

Nonsense national supporters.

Ha

Kelamma:
Mama's boy like me. Anything concerning mumsy, we die there . No even try.

That is the spirit!

nairavsdollars:
God bless him. The best decision any worthy son can make.

a relationship with any member of your family should not in anyway affect your career. What a spineless man. Smh

Love of mother is something you cant understand. She is ready to die for me and i am also ready to die for her. Its something we cant understand.

Germany football power house and current world champion was sent packing so why insulting the Iran team that really fought till their last seconds of their stay in the competition.


If our SE players were as half committed as the Iranian team, Nigeria would have gotten to quarter final.

Remember that this is a country not known in football history as a threat.

kingthreat:
As for me, I will keep insulting Ighalo untill he drops the Number 9 shirt. He doesn't deserve it

you know no him family house?

This one is not fit to be a star jawe. The reason why you are paid to play is to chop insults and come back again.

Iran deserve to be in the next round, Spain robbed them