According to the Mehr reporter, Ali Alipour, after spending two seasons in the Portuguese Maritimo team, signed a contract with another Portuguese team, Gil Vicente, last week to start a new era in European football. Alipour scored 10 times for Maritimo in two seasons and was less included in Maritimo’s starting lineup in the second season due to a dispute over his contract extension.
However, the Iranian striker made a significant transfer to Jill Vicente; The team that will participate in the European Conference League next season and Alipour can also participate in these competitions.
Earlier it was said that Persepolis is interested in hiring Alipour for next season; Especially since the striker was a free agent and did not have to pay a fee for Persepolis, but in the end he preferred to stay in the Portuguese league; It has also made offers from nine countries, including Spain, Russia, Belgium, Turkey, the UAE, Qatar and nine others.
In a detailed interview with the Ebola newspaper, Alipour described his goals for Jill Vicente’s team and stressed that his goal is to play and win the Champions League. He also expressed hope that he would play and score goals with Tarmi in the Iranian national team in the Qatar World Cup.
– I want to move slowly but straight
– I’m like Tarmi; I do not think about money
– My dream is to play in England and Spain
– I had a good offer from China and I lost financially
– I knew Jill Vicente’s team through Januario and Adinio
– I watched all the Portuguese games
– I liked Jill Vicente’s midfielders
– I have not talked to the head coach
– I can live in Portugal forever
– Two glams were vital for Maritimo
– Playing with Tarmi is easy
– I am waiting to return to the national team of Iran
– I see Tarmi’s movements 5 seconds ago
– I want to take Gilles Vicente to the homes of the Iranian people
– Uncle, Karimi and Ronaldo were my myths
– I see myself and Tarmi scoring goals in the World Cup
The details of this conversation are as follows:
* How do you assess the importance of the transfer from Maritimo to Gilles Vicente and what are your expectations from the new club?
– I achieved my goals in Marتtimo. I had to take a step forward to become stronger. I came to the conclusion that it is important for me to be on a better ranked team to play in Europe. I want to prove my condition and potential. I want to help Gilles Vicente and bring points to the club in Europe. I am looking for success and reaching higher levels. I look forward to playing in the Champions League.
* Based on the suggestions you had, why did you choose Jill Vicente?
– Gilles Vicente was the best choice for me out of all the offers I had from Qatar, UAE, China, Kuwait, Turkey, Belgium, Poland, Russia and even Spain.
* How do you evaluate your presence in Maritimo?
– Thanks to Marتtimo for the two good seasons I had there. They were a family to me. The Dari club was into European football but it was very difficult to be there. I had to understand Portuguese football and only adapted well in the second season. Now I feel ready for more challenges and I see myself as someone who can go to the highest level and perform better in better teams and more prestigious competitions.
* Despite all the offers and requests from other countries, does Portugal have the conditions to contribute to a larger dimension of your work?
– Portuguese football has a very high level and is very well known in the world. I have very defined goals, I want to move slowly but straight. I do not think much about money; A bit like Tarmi. I am looking to play in the Champions League or experience in Spain and England. This is my goal and my dream. When I came to Maritimo, I lost money because I had very good offers from China. But playing in the Portuguese league was important because of its showcase.
Portugal is culturally and climatically close to Iran. Even here I feel comfortable with people. My goal was to be in the top 6 teams in Portugal. I discussed all the options with my program manager and came to the conclusion that Jill Vicente is the best option. Note that I already knew Gilles Vicente, because Fabio Januario and Adinio played there and they were very successful in Iran. (Janvario played in Esteghlal and Adinio played in Traktor and Mes Kerman)
How do you see Gilles Vicente for what he did last season, for the football he played and which many people considered to be one of the best teams in Portugal? Did you have the same impression as an opponent?
– I saw all the Portuguese games. There was no match to lose. If two games were at the same time, I would arrange to see one later. I wanted to get to know the players and teams and know the best way to adapt to each game. I always watched Jill Vicente’s games and I really liked his midfielders. They were very smart and very technical in supporting the attackers. They carried the ball close to the opponent’s court and provided assists.
Teamwork in Gilles Vicente was very cohesive. They were always very regular. Watching Jill, I never felt like they were going to lose the game. They always seemed to fight to the end and win games. It was clear that there was a plan and tactics for victory. Jill Vicente’s coach and analysts showed that they are very capable and can read the opponent’s plans well. I also liked the stadium and the grass they played on.
* Are you aware of the role of head coach Ricardo Suarez in your recruitment? Have you talked about what he expects of you?
– I have a lot of respect for all coaches. Portugal has some of the best coaches in the world. All good players are looking for good coaches, because that way they can complement each other. I watched Jill Vicente’s games and as I said I felt how the coach positively controls the team and communicates with the players. Every time I watched the games, the team played fresh, energetic and strategic. These things come from the coach. But we did not speak directly. I am proud to be part of this coach’s team and ideas. He is a great coach.
* Does your presence in Portuguese football have an expiration date?
– The main goal is to play and win the Champions League. I do not know how many years it will take. If I can have this chance at a club in Portugal, be part of a team that competes in it and believe in the realization of my dream, I can stay here for years. But I do not know! All I know is that living in Portugal is something I can do forever because I love this country and its people.
* We saw Alipour score 10 goals in two seasons at Marتtimo. Will there be goals for the first season in Barcelona (the city where Gil Vicente is located)?
– Football is not easy. When I came to Portugal, I was leaving my country for the first time. I had my worst time in the first year, away from home, trying to adjust and facing a scenario like Covid-19. it was difficult. Madeira (the island where Team Marتtimo is) is beautiful but I found it closed with everything. I have a big family, we were always together, I came from a big city, I loved crowded places. It was something that revived and energized me. I was only in a hotel in Madeira. I did not know much English, which prevented me from communicating. Adaptation as well as understanding the mentality of the coaches took time here. However, in the first season, I helped Marتtimo stay in the league. I scored in Maritimo’s two 1-0 victories. Both were in the final weeks and very important. It’s not normal for a striker to score just two goals, but they were vital to me. In my sophomore year, I did much better, scoring eight goals, taking penalties and assisting.
Step by step my expectation is to score more goals and improve the results. This mentality led me to Gilles Vicente. The club wants more this season, especially since they are in more competitions. It is important for us to win the European Games (Europa League) and move forward. I do not think about numbers and statistics, it limits me. My life is not just about scoring goals. If a player is in a better position, I will pass him. Assists are like scoring goals. I play for the team, not for myself.
* Playing in Portugal with Mehdi Tarmi, one of the biggest football stars in the year leading up to the World Cup, will you still have a chance to play with him in the World Cup?
– I am looking forward to the chance to return to the national team. Every player’s dream is to play for his country in the World Cup. I have done my best over the years. I have worked hard to deserve this. I played with Tarmi in Persepolis for three years. We played in the Asian Champions League, we won the cup and a lot of goals and assists were given to each other. Playing with Tarmi is comfortable. I can see Mahdi’s movements five seconds before moving. He is with me. I hope to be able to play in friendly matches and then be part of the Iranian national team in Qatar. I see myself and Tarmi scoring in the World Cup. But I can not choose a player. It depends on the coach. We will all be team soldiers and follow the coach.
* A good start with Gilles Vicente next season can help a lot in your presence in the Iranian team?
– One hundred percent agree. I have to get better every day. By playing Jill Vicente, I have the chance to play in the Europa League before the World Cup. This is another big challenge and it makes me more eager to participate in the most serious competition on the planet. We will have more exercises and games. This route gives me more competition and prepares me. I hope I can do it.
* About Tarmi; How can a player like him inspire those who want to follow in his footsteps in European football?
– Tarmi and I have a joint program manager who is very familiar with Portuguese football. He talked to me about Portugal, he gave me much better offers but we realized it was better to start here. My goal is international success. This is my vision as a child. I saw what Tarmi did in the Rio Ave team. I saw him transferred to Porto. I talked to him and asked for guidance. This is how I got to Maritimo. Tarmi is a great and hard-working player. He can still do more. It makes me happy and proud to see Tarmi in great shape in Portugal. He is a good friend who is at the top of the rankings.
* And is Tarmi’s championship with Porto an honor for Iran?
– I’m very happy for him. It is important for Iran to have a player who scores goals and assists, who is not like anyone else in the club and is now the Portuguese champion. He will go down in history and will be admired by many coaches. The Iranians are always talking about the great Portuguese teams, including Porto, Benfica, Sporting as well as Braga. My goal is to bring Gilles Vicente to Iranian homes.
* And as a final question; Besides Tarmi’s praise, who are Alipour’s idols and myths in football?
– In my country, Ali Daei and Ali Karimi. But since I was a child, I have been an unconditional supporter of Cristiano Ronaldo. I always followed him and wore his Manchester United shirt number 7 in my room from the beginning. In addition, there were many pictures of him in my room.
