On Thurdsay 25 August 2016 at 6 p.m. (Iranian local time) Javad Nekounam will officially say goodbye as a player with his last match at Azadi Stadium in Tehran. A lot of LaLiga legends will take part on the game: Albelda, Morientes, Mendieta, Abidal (see below the complete list)… The game will be broadcasted live on LaLiga official Youtube channel. The former Team Melli captain has been recently appointed assistant of technical staff by Carlos Queiroz, head coach of National football team of Iran.

Nekounam spent 6 years in LaLiga playing in Osasuna, most of them with compatriot Masoud Shojaei. In his first season in Pamplona he helped his club to reach UEFA Cup semi-finals, and Spanish supporters still remember his late goal at 120′ against Bordeaux in 2nd leg of Round of 32.

After a couple of years in Esteghlal Tehran and Al Kuwait – following his excellent performances in FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – he returned to Osasuna in Segunda Division as captain, joined by Karim Ansarifard. He played last season between Iran (Saipa Karaj) and Qatar (Al Arabi).

Farewell match

LaLiga All Stars will face an Iranian squad captained obviously by Javad Nekounam. Rumours say that we will see playing again Ali Daei, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Yahya Golmohammadi. Ali Karimi was added to the team, after he denied his appearance.
In Spain the complete list of the squad was announced on 22 August, as you can see below.

LaLiga All Stars

Goalkeepers: Koke Contreras, Leo Franco
Defenders: Eric Abidal, Francisco Pavón, Michel Salgado, Joan Capdevila, Fernando Sanz
Midfielders: Claude Makélélé, Gaizka Mendieta, David Albelda, Marcos Senna, José Emilio Amavisca, Francesco Coco
Strikers: Fernando Morientes, Luis García, Albert Luque