Vahid Talebloo

Tehran Time - Ex-Iran and Esteghlal goalkeeper Vahid Talebloo announced his retirement after a 16 years goalkeeping career.

The 36-year-old goalie most recently played for Foolad Khuzestan.

He started his football at the age 20 with Esteghlal and played 179 times for the Blues. Talebloo claimed two Iran Professional League titles and one Hazfi Cup with the team.

Talebloo began receiving media attention when he saved Ali Daei's spot kick in an IPL match at the beginning of the 2005-06 season.

Talebloo made his debut for Iran national football team in the Asian Cup 2007 qualifying match against Chinese Taipei in February 2006.

In August 2006, he appeared against the UAE and also against Syria in Amir Ghalenoei's first official games as the new Team Melli coach.

In July 2007, he joined the Iranian squad for the 2007 Asian Cup and appeared in Iran's last game against Korea Republic. Finally he got the chance to prove himself and played in West Asian Football Federation Championship 2008 and won the competition with Team Melli.

“I was born to play football. I have good childhood memories of football. I keep football in my heart forever. It’s hard to explain at the moment. It’s time to hang up my gloves. Football is art of thinking big not just a tool for being famous. I would like to wish the fans, coaches, medical staff, managers, and media all the best,” Talebloo posted on his Instagram account.

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