Shamsaee is the world’s leading goalscorer for national teams and has played a key role in Iran’s dominance of Asian futsal, being part of eight AFC Futsal Championship-winning teams in 10 years.
He finished top goalscorer in seven of Iran’s nine continental title triumphs, was adjudged MVP of the AFC Futsal Championship four times and won the AFC Futsal Player of the Year award twice.
The 33-year-old can now boast of another accomplishment, this time on a global scale after he was named to the elite FIFA All-Star futsal team.
ALL-STAR ASIAN
The report of the FIFA Technical Study Group included Shamsaee along with three Brazilians and a Spanish player in the five-member FIFA All-Star team, which was compiled after the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil last year.
The recognition also established him as the world’s best pivot as the list includes wingers, one goalkeeper and a sweeper.
“The FIFA list shows that I was successful in my position as pivot. Tiago is a goalkeeper, Spaniard Kike is a sweeper while Falcao and Schumacher play on the left and right flanks,” an unassuming Shamsaee told www.the-afc.com.
“This makes it clear that I am identified as the pivot because I always play at that position.
“It’s an honour to be named with big names like Tiago, Falcao and Schumacher (all Brazil). We actually started together since the 2000 FIFA Futsal World Cup. I am honoured to be the only Asian in this all-star team.”
Shamsaee’s ball skills are indeed well-known to the futsal world. One of his trademark moves is to receive the ball on the up side, hold it, spin before providing a telling pass or shooting for goal himself. He executes it so smoothly that rival goalkeeper are often awestruck in disbelief.
At the last FIFA Futsal World Cup, Iran qualified for the second round for the first time since 1992 and missed the semi-final berth by a whisker.
They were held by Italy 5-5 and failed to qualify for the last four phase on goal difference. Shamsaee scored five goals and provided one assist in the tournament.
AFC CLUB FUTSAL
Despite having won a bevy of accolades, the most feared Asian futsal player is still hungry for more.
He now wants to add AFC Futsal Club Championship crown to his overflowing trophy cabinet when his club – Foolad Mahan - hosts the inaugural event next year.
The 10-team competition, which was scheduled to take place from July 4 to 12 in Esfahan, was postponed because of the political situation in Iran.
“We were ready for the kick-off but the news of the postponement came as a shock to us.”
He said the national players will use the Iran Futsal League, which starts on October 30, as preparation for the world event.
UZBEKISTAN JINX
Though Shamsaee’s achievements speak for themselves, his biggest disappointment was Iran’s failure to win the AFC Futsal Championship in 2006 when it was held in Uzbekistan.
The talismanic captain, however, has vowed to break the Central Asian jinx next year.
“Out of 10 AFC Futsal Championships, we just missed the trophy once which was held in Uzbekistan,” he said.
“It seems Uzbekistan was not lucky for us but we will try to end that jinx in Tashkent next year with a tenth title.”
Written by Shahin Rahmani
Edited by Chetan Kulkarni