Ehsan Hajsafi

Ehsan Hajsafi is Iran's long-serving left-back and captain, a figure of genuine authority in the national team setup. He spent the bulk of his career at Sepahan before earning moves to Greek football, most notably a three-year stint at AEK Athens where he was a reliable presence in the Super League. A brief spell at Olympiakos added further European credibility. Known for his overlapping runs and set-piece delivery, Hajsafi made headlines at the 2022 World Cup when he publicly expressed sympathy for protesters in Iran — a moment that transcended football entirely.