Azmoun eyes long-awaited return with World Cup in sight
Iranian international Sardar Azmoun is set to make his long-awaited return from injury this week when his Shabab Al Ahli side travel to face Al Ahli Saudi FC in a crunch AFC Champions League Elite fixture on Monday.
After more than 130 days on the sidelines, the prolific striker has fully recovered from ankle surgery — Azmoun’s second injury setback of the season after he missed the early stages of the campaign with a knee problem, limiting his contribution to just one goal in three appearances across all competitions.
Azmoun was last in action during a 1-0 victory over Al Ittihad Club in the Asian elite club competition last September, and Portuguese head coach Paulo Sousa will hope the Iranian’s return against another Saudi opponent can help Shabab Al Ahli secure a place in the knockout stage.
The Emirati champions sit sixth in the West Zone’s 12-team table with 11 points – three clear of Qatari sides Al Duhail SC and Al Sadd SC, who occupy seventh and eighth – and a draw would be enough to send Shabab Al Ahli through to the last 16.
Azmoun’s return would also provide a major boost for national team head coach Amir Qalenoei.
With the World Cup finals less than four months away, Qalenoei appears to have settled much of his squad for the tournament in North America, and the frontline partnership between Azmoun and Mahdi Taremi is expected to lead the line as Team Melli target a first-ever knockout-stage appearance at the seventh attempt on football’s biggest stage.
While Taremi has been enjoying a strong season in the Greek Super League with Olympiacos, Azmoun’s trajectory has been far more turbulent. The 29-year-old will be eager to rediscover his sharpness ahead of March’s international window.
The coming month could prove decisive. With five crucial club fixtures before the March friendlies, Azmoun has an opportunity to rebuild match fitness and firmly stake his claim for a national team recall.
Azmoun, who has scored an impressive 57 goals in 91 caps, last featured for Team Melli in a home draw against Uzbekistan in World Cup qualifiers 11 months ago.
The former AS Roma and FC Zenit Saint Petersburg striker recently made a cameo appearance for Shabab Al Ahli’s under-23 side against Sharjah, delivering a promising display. He was also available for selection against Al Hilal last week, though Sousa ultimately left him out of the squad.
For Azmoun, the objective is clear: regain form, reclaim his place in the starting XI for club and country, and look ahead to what could be the third World Cup campaign of his career.